Trainer Peter Fury believes his son Hughie is capable of not only winning a world heavyweight title but unifying the division. Hughie (21-1, 11 KOs) heads for Bulgaria to take on Kubrat Pulev in an IBF final eliminator on October 27 with the winner advancing to a shot at WBA Super, WBO and IBF champion Anthony Joshua. The 24-year-old has already challenged for a world title – suffering his sole career defeat with a points decision to Joseph Parker at Manchester Arena in September 2017 – and Peter believes greatness beckons.

Peter Fury said: “I believe Hughie can unify the titles. He’s an exceptional talent and he’s getting better and better all the time. He’s already incredibly experienced by the age of 24. Anthony Joshua turned professional at 24 and Hughie has already been hard done by in a world title fight. He belongs on the world stage.

“Hughie turned professional at 18 and he’s already 21-1 with the loss a controversial defeat to a world champion. That’s a statement in itself. He’s an exceptional young man and I believe he’ll unify when he gets the chance.

“He isn’t a trash-talker. He doesn’t talk rubbish. He doesn’t have a bad bone in his body. All this stuff about hating other fighters is rubbish. He’s got respect for every human being. I’m proud of the way he conducts himself.

“I think if Hughie gets past Pulev then facing Joshua could happen next year. I don’t expect AJ to drop the IBF title or run from anybody.”