BOXING fans will have to shell out £24.95 if they want to watch Anthony Joshua defend his world titles against Kubrat Pulev.
The two heavyweights will clash at Wembley Arena on December 12 – albeit behind-closed-doors.
Anthony Joshua versus Kubrat Pulev will be on Sky Sports Box Office for £24.95Credit: Reuters
Some boxing fans compared the paying to other fights that were free
As a result of crowds not being allowed to watch the fight live, AJ is believed to be missing out on some £8MILLION.
The event will be shown live on Sky Sports Box Office at a whopping £24.95, equalling the record price to watch AJ’s revenge against Andy Ruiz out in Saudi Arabia in December last year.
Back then, Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn defended that price, saying it was because it was ‘a one off fight where you may not ever see a fight like this again’.
He also insisted it was a decision taken by Sky Sports and not himself, as it is again this time.
AJ too has no say in how much him headlining should cost.
But just 13 days before Christmas, fight fans will have to dig deep to watch the British hero lay his belts on the line against Bulgarian veteran Pulev.
The undercard currently includes Tyson Fury’s cousin Hughie fighting Mariusz Wach and Lawrence Okolie’s world title shot against Krzysztof Glowacki.
But many boxing fans are less-than-impressed.
Nigel Hudson tweeted that it was ‘a robbery’, saying that Joshua will ‘stop Pulev inside six rounds’.
Another Twitter user wrote: “I’m not anti-PPV by any stretch, but £25 quid? For Kubrat Pulev?
“Americans have just had Brook-Crawford and Lopez-Loma for free man.”
Greg Decimus added that it was ‘a joke’ saying that it was designed to ‘make the rich filthy rich all whilst taking a chunk out of normal folks monthly budgets’.
And some were scathing of the undercard on offer, saying that those fights will ‘put you to sleep’ before the main event has even started.
However, many boxing fans did accept that the price is as high as it is as a result of coronavirus ending chances of a live crowd.
Joshua will be hoping to get the job done against Pulev to set him up to fight fellow Brit Tyson Fury in an undisputed clash next year.
Joshua will be hoping for a successful defence of his titles to set up an undisputed clash agaisnt Tyson FuryCredit: PA
Bob Arum says Tyson Fury will fight Anthony Joshua next if he beats Pulev
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
