Bulgarian professional boxer Kubrat Pulev has dedicated to his home country his IBF heavyweight eliminator win against Tony Tompson.

"All of this is for Bulgaria, for our pride," said Pulev for Bulgarian TV channel Diema soon after his Saturday night victory.

"I want to thank the whole audience in Bulgaria and those here in the hall, because there were critical moments when they gave me courage in the fight," added he.

Pulev outpointed the American veteran and is now set to challenge Wladimir Klitschko's title.

His last adversary for the IBF top will be determined at an October 5 game betwen Klitschko and Alexander Povetkin.

In his after match comments, Pulev said he believes that Wladimir will come out winning, adding that it will be hard to play against him.

"I am not in my top form, I can do a lot better. This played its part in the game, but for the world title final I will be training hard and with God's help and Bulgaria's support I hope that we'll make it," said Pulev.

Early May, Kubrat Pulev topped IBF's rankings in the heavyweight division.

He is currently IBF International Heavyweight champion (2011) and European Boxing Union heavyweight champion (2012).

Pulev was awarded the prize of Bulgarian athlete of the year for 2012.