More than 155 Bulgarian sports journalists gave their vote for Kubrat Pulev (24 victories, 13 Kos) and he was chosen once again among the Best 10 athletes in Bulgaria for 2016. Bulgarian boxing pride is in the final days of maybe his most successful year as professional. First, in May he won for the second time in his career the European Heavyweight title after stopping in 12 rounds great tactical battle Dereck Chisora. On December 3rd, in front of 15 thousand fans in “Arena Armeec” in Sofia Pulev did it again, this time much easier – TKO against former world champion Samuel Peter in 3rd Round. This bout made Kubrat the new Intercontinental champion of WBA and world title contender for the 2nd time after 2014.

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“It is a big honor for me to be selected among the ten best athletes in my country. Bulgaria has always had and will continue to have great champions. Let’s make sure that in 2017 we will be even stronger. Let’s try to give our Nation and countrymen new reasons for pride. I believe we all together, we can make the hole world speak with respect for Bulgarian sport in the new year as well.”

For the sixth time in his career Pulev is in Bulgarian Top 10 of the best athletes of the year. In 2012, he was №1. This is the year in which he recorded three wins on the professional ring. First, on January 14th, Kubrat defended  his International title of IBF against Michael Sprott – TKO in 9 Round. On May 5th Bulgarian Cobra outplayed Alexander Dimitrenko with another knockout, this time in Round 11. Triumph, which brought him the European title, and it was also defense of the International IBF belt. On September 29th Pulev took another scalp – that of Alexander Ustinov, again in round 11 and again with KO – duel with which Kubrat succeeded to protect both of his prestigious belt.

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In 2012, immediately after Kubrat, who was first, in Top 10 was his brother Tervel Pulev – winner of the last Olympic medal for the Bulgarian box – bronze in London. Third was the legend of the female wrestling Stanka Zlateva, who finished with silver in London. In 2013 Kubrat Pulev was in the top three of the best athletes, among with world champion in Greco-Roman wrestling Ivo Angelov and freshly entered the Top 10 in the world tennis rankings Grigor Dimitrov.