Anthony Joshua vs. Kubrat Pulev Targeted For December 12

Unified heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua will likely make a mandatory defence of his IBF title against Kubrat Pulev on December 12 according to Eddie Hearn.

Joshua was originally set to put his three major belts on the line against Pulev on June 20 at the 70,000-seat Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London but the fight was postponed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Hearn has now got December 12 pencilled in as the new date for Joshua-Pulev and he is hoping to have some fans in attendance as the UK government hopes to allow at least 25 percent capacities at venues beginning in October.  

“Yes, Dec. 12 at the O2 is the plan for AJ,” Hearn said, adding that he is hopeful that some fans will be permitted to attend the bout after months of events at which fans were not allowed because of the ongoing pandemic.

John Wirt of Epic Sports, who co-promotes Pulev with Top Rank is happy the fight between his client and Joshua is finally back on track, he said.

“We are happy that the fight appears to be back on track and that we have a new date and site. There is still some tweaking to do on the contract but we are optimistic it should be concluded this week.” (Transcribed by Boxing Scene)

Pulev hasn’t fought since picking up a dominant decision win over Rydell Brooker on Nov. 9 in Fresno, California. Joshua was last in action against Andy Ruiz on Dec. 7 in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia. ‘AJ’ reclaimed his world titles that were temporarily in the possession of the Mexican who caused one of biggest upsets in boxing history when he scored a seventh-round knockout win against Joshua in June 2019.

Who do you think will win on December 12? Anthony Joshua or Kubrat Pulev?