ANTHONY JOSHUA’S world title defence against Kubrat Pulev WILL go ahead later this year despite the boxer injuring his knee.
The WBO, WBA, IBF and IBO heavyweight champ was pictured at a Black Lives Matter protest in his hometown of Watford at the weekend.
Anthony Joshua, pictured at a Black Lives Matter protest in Watford, has a knee injuryCredit: Reuters
AJ will still be ready to defend his world titles against Kubrat Pulev this yearCredit: Reuters
But as well as his passionate speech, the sight of him hobbling on crutches was a big talking point.
In a SunSport exclusive Joshua was pictured earlier in the week with a leg brace on while riding a scooter.
His promoter Eddie Hearn revealed the 30-year-old had felt a twinge in his knee while out running and will need to rest up for four weeks.
But according to the Daily Mail, the injury will not disrupt his plans to fight Pulev this year.
Hearn told the paper that the two will headline a show “planned for probably October or November”.
Whether that will be behind-closed-doors or not is still up in the air as the coronavirus pandemic rages on.
FURY FIGHT HOPES
With Pulev the mandatory challenger for AJ, thoughts of a mouthwatering Battle of Britain against WBC champ Tyson Fury are on hold.
The Gypsy King is set for his trilogy fight against Deontay Wilder, also hopefully this year.
But Fury’s promoter Frank Warren has claimed his man has already signed a deal to fight AJ in a unification blockbuster in an unnamed country.
When asked about the possibility of Fury fighting Joshua, Warren said on Good Morning Britain: “Look we’ve got no problem with it.
“We’ve signed an NDA with a country that are hopefully about to make the fight happen.
“I don’t think the other side want it. I’ve got a feeling in my bones that they do not want the fight.”
Joshua has hit back at criticism he received on social distancing as he attended the demonstration in Watford at the weekend.
He wrote on social media: “I understand the concerns in regards to social distancing.
“However I hope those who are complaining about social distancing have the same energy about those gathering for a day at the beach [and] those going to the park for a picnic.”
Eddie Hearn confirmed his top boxer suffered a twinge in his knee while out runningCredit: Sportsfile – Subscription
Anthony Joshua says ‘we can no longer remain silent’ as he spreads positive messages about police violence, gang culture and youth engagement at peaceful Black Lives Matters protest in Watford
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
