Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Kubrat Pulev becomes first Bulgarian WBA heavyweight champion

Кубрат Пулев
Photo: BGNES

Bulgarian heavyweight boxing pride Kubrat Pulev won the World Boxing Association (WBA) regular title in a fight with Mahmoud Charr last night at Arena Sofia in front of a crowd of over 12 thousand. Kubrat Pulev won a unanimous decision over Mahmoud Charr (117-111, 117-111, 116-112) after a hard-fought 12 round, 36 minute fight on Saturday.

"I don't have a world title. Bulgaria has a world title! I want to thank our mother and father Venko Pulev (who is his first trainer - ed.), all the Bulgarian coaches and former champions who are an example for young boxers," said Pulev after the victory.

By winning the WBA 'regular' heavyweight title, Kubrat is now in a position to challenge the winner of the upcoming rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury (December 21) for the WBA super title.

The win is Pulev's 32nd in the professional ring since turning pro in 2009. 

The WINBET Fight Night gala at the Arena Sofia featured a total of nine boxing matches, with three Bulgarian victories. Before Pulev's victory, Zdravko Popov and Petar Draganov defeated their Mexican opponents - Rafael Ortiz by knockout in the third round and Juan Antonio Llanes by knockout in the fourth round.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Fencers from all over the world participate at the World Cup Women's and Men's Sabre in Plovdiv

Over 400 competitors from 30 countries arrived in Plovdiv for the World Cup Women's and Men's Sabre. The event takes place from January 23 to 26. Olympic and world fencing champions will compete at the Kolodruma Sports Hall.  The competition began..

published on 1/23/25 2:10 PM
Valentina Dimitrova

Valentina Dimitrova wins gold at European Junior Biathlon Championships in Germany

With a time of 41 minutes and 12 seconds, Valentina Dimitrova won a gold medal at the European Junior Biathlon Championships. In the German winter center Altenberg, the Bulgarian won the individual 12.5 km event. Valentina made two..

published on 1/23/25 8:50 AM
Radoslav Yankov

Radoslav Yankov ranks third in the parallel giant slalom of the World Snowboarding Cup in Bansko

The only Bulgarian snowboarder with victories in the World Snowboarding Cup, Radoslav Yankov, finished in the third place , at the parallel giant slalom of the World Cup in Bansko. This happened after the Bulgarian team challenged Yankov's rival in the..

published on 1/19/25 7:09 PM