ANTHONY JOSHUA is back and ready to take on Bulgarian slugger Kubrat Pulev at the O2 Arena.
The heavyweight champion of the world is back fighting on British shores for the first time since September 2018, when he saw off Alexander Povetkin.
Joshua regained his heavyweight belts with a UD victory over Andy Ruiz Jr last DecemberCredit: PA
WILLIAM HILL GET ANTHONY JOSHUA TO WIN AT 4/1* (Mobile only)
And now AJ is digging in to defend the belts he won back against Andy Ruiz Jr in December last year.
When Joshua tops the bill it’s always an event – and after the news that 1,000 fans will be allowed in to watch, we thought we’d betting rustle up some betting tips for you boxing-starved punters.
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Anthony Joshua vs Kubrat Pulev betting tips
If any of AJ’s last few bouts are to go by, there’s going to millions staked before the fighters finally do battle in the capital.
The big question is – which Joshua do we see on December 12?
On the one hand, it could be the chiselled, heavy-punching Goliath that crushed all before him until Ruiz Jr rocked up and spoilt the party.
Or will Joshua turn up as the leaner, faster, more technically proficient specimen who won his belts back on that baking hot night in Riyadh?
Going by recent snaps, it looks like he’s been hitting the dumbbells hard and bulking up close to his previous size.
Either way, the bookies have him as overwhelming favourite to defend his WBO, WBA (Super), IBO and IBF titles.
Joshua and Pulev go toe-to-toe on December 12 in LondonCredit: AFP – Getty
If you’re sticking a tenner on AJ to win, enjoy your £1 profit should he do the business. He’s that short with most bookies.
In this situation you’ve got to get creative – and the good news is, there’s a whole heap of value to find on this fight.
We’ll get this out the way first; Pulev is a handy fighter, game as they come and tough as nails.
His only defeat has been against Wladimir Klischko and that was six years ago – but we’re not going to be putting our hard-earned on him winning this match-up against the Brit champ.
Pulev might be game, he might have a good chin – but we don’t see the 39-year-old veteran as dangerous enough to sink the Watford man.
What we do think, is this WON’T be a fight that will be over in the first three rounds.
Everyone loves a fast knockout, the thrill and adrenaline of the surprise sucker-punch.
But for AJ – nearly 12 months out of the ring remember – this is a comeback fight in which to shake off the rust and ease his way back ahead of a monster 2021.
As a result, we’re backing Joshua to take this one deep against a competitor who has gone the distance in five of his last seven bouts.
We all remember AJ steaming into the fast hands of Ruiz Jr in their first showdown, tasting the canvas four times as he was dismantled by the portly Mexican.
The humiliation of that night was a huge learning curve for Joshua and we’re excited to see how he approaches this one after his more restrained, mature performance in the rematch.
Ruiz Jr stunned Joshua at Madison Square Garden – but AJ come back strongerCredit: Reuters
Sixteen of Joshua’s 21 wins have come within the first six rounds, but we are instead backing the Brit to get the job done in the 7-9th once he’s shaken off the cobwebs.
Since 2016, ALL of the champions six fights have gone seven rounds or more, with the likes of Carlos Takam (10th), Joseph Parker (distance) and Alexander Povetkin (7th) taking things long.
In fact the last time AJ powered a fighter out before the third round bell was Eric Molina four long years ago.
William Hill are offering new customers a massive 4/1 on the Brit star doing the business and winning by either KO, TKO or DQ.
And if you fancy a go at when the fight ends, pick the later rounds when AJ can unleash that awesome power against the tiring Bulgarian.
Our tip is for him to do the business in rounds 9-12, again at a hefty 4/1 – and have a quid on a round 11 victory at a whopping 20/1.
Joshua scored an epic 11th round stoppage against Klitschko in 2017Credit: Getty Images – Getty
That was the round when Joshua eventually wore down Klitschko in their epic encounter way infront of 90,000 at Wembley.
For all of you looking for a boxing bet NAP to top up your weekend accas, get the 2/7 on the fight not going the distance.
Joshua possesses the punching strength to put Pulev out, but expect a combination between the new and old AJ to appear as the champ prepares for a career-defining 2021.
SunSport’s best bets
- Anthony Joshua to win by KO, TKO or DQ: 4/1 with William Hill
- Joshua to win in rounds 9-12: 4/1
- AJ to finish things in round 11: 20/1
- Fight NOT to go the distance: 2/7
*Terms and conditions: New customers using EPAJ4 Mobile only. Bets placed from 09:00 on 26 November 2020 until 22:00 on 12 December 2020. £10 must be staked on Anthony Joshua to win by KO, TKO, DQ. Bonus paid as 4 x £10 free bets (30 day expiry). Player & currency restrictions & terms apply. 18+ begambleaware.org
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Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
