ANTHONY JOSHUA’S IBF title defence against Kubrat Pulev is “very close” to being agreed.
The 30-year-old has been ordered to face mandatory challenger Pulev, but there is yet to be an official announcement.
Talks for Joshua to fight Kubrat Pulev are progressing well
Joshua is eager to become the first unified heavyweight champion in over 20 yearsCredit: PA:Press Association
It was believed that Joshua favours a defence of his WBO title against Oleksandr Usyk – but Pulev, 38, appears first in line.
The Bulgarian is tied to John Wirt’s Epic Sports, and the promoter has confirmed that negotiations are going well.
He told Seconds Out: “We feel that we are very close.
“Things got pushed back due to the holidays and vacations and the resulting delays in obtaining the information we need from the various sites to be able to compare offers.
“But things have been moving very quickly the last couple of weeks and we hope to be able to formally announce something by the end of the month.
“[We’ve had bids from] the UK, Las Vegas, New York, Nigeria, Turkey and Saudi Arabia. The favoured destination is the one that will be the most profitable.”
Fans’ concerns have been growing that AJ could be forced to vacate his WBO title before he has the opportunity to face Usyk, although Eddie Hearn believes that they will agree to the fight being postponed until later this year.
And when quizzed on the situation, Wirt explained: “It is my understanding that the IBF mandatory is due next under the court-mandated rotation.
“While I have read reports that the WBO initially stated that its mandatory is due now too, under the Holyfield case, Joshua cannot be forced to give up either the IBF or the WBO title and if neither the IBF nor the WBO ultimately backs down, a judge would eventually have to decide which mandatory is due next under the rotation.
“That being said, it is my understanding that if Joshua decides to fight Pulev next, the WBO is not going to strip Joshua.”
AJ’s ultimate goal is to become boxing’s first unified heavyweight champion in over 20 years – with his eyes firmly on facing the winner of next month’s clash between Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder.
With the elusive WBC title, currently occupied by Wilder, in his sights, Joshua would be willing to accept a 50-50 purse split for a showdown in Saudi Arabia.
Anthony Joshua shows off amazing speed and power as he practises body shots in training with Pulev fight on horizon
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
