ANTHONY JOSHUA has been told Kubrat Pulev will knock him “on his a**” and END the Brit’s career.
As soon as AJ reclaimed the unified titles by beating Andy Ruiz Jr in Saudi Arabia, he was ordered by the IBF to defend his belt against Bulgarian veteran Pulev.
Anthony Joshua has been ordered by the IBF to face mandatory challenger Kubrat PulevCredit: AFP or licensors
Promoter Bob Arum says Pulev will put AJ ‘on his a**’Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Joshua, 30, enhanced his superstar status by exacting revenge against 20st banger Ruiz – but promoter Bob Arum warns the 6ft 6in champion his resurgence will soon be over.
Arum told talkSPORT: “Let me let you in on a secret, you may agree or disagree.
“But by that time [end of 2020], there ain’t going to be an Anthony Joshua as a top fighter.
“I’ve got a Bulgarian named Pulev who’s going to knock him on his ass in his next fight.
“I think everyone is in agreement that Pulev will be next.”
Joshua was given a heavyweight headache as the WBO also ordered the Londoner to defend his strap against Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk.
Both the governing bodies have given AJ until January to agree the mandatory defences, but promoter Eddie Hearn predicts Pulev will win the race to challenge for the belts next.
Hearn explained: “We want the governing bodies to tell us who goes first, is it Pulev or Usyk?
“For me, it is probably Pulev, because that mandatory was called first.
“Off the top of my head, it will be end of April or early May for Joshua’s next fight.”
Joshua insisted after his rematch win in Saudi that he will face both his mandatory challengers before fighting Deontay Wilder or Tyson Fury next year.
The heavyweight pair rematch on February 22, with a trilogy bout already signed to follow.
And Arum, Fury’s UK promoter, is sure the Gypsy King will walk away with the WBC belt and set up an undisputed title decider against Joshua.
Andy Ruiz Jr could fight Deontay Wilder BEFORE Anthony Joshua does, confirm WBC despite Mexican’s loss to Brit
Arum said: “As far as I’m concerned, why not? Tyson Fury is better than any other heavyweight in the world.
“The Joshua fight would be a big fight, after Wilder, but I haven’t spoken to Tyson about it.
“For me, I’d say bring it on!”
Joshua reclaimed the unified belts after beating Andy Ruiz Jr in their rematchCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
