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ANTHONY JOSHUA finally gets to go to war with Kubrat Pulev on Saturday night. But fans may be surprised by the referee who has been chosen to officiate the bout by the IBF. The International Boxing Federation are in charge of appointing a referee, as it’s their world title belt which Pulev is the mandatory […] More
BOXING gets its final big show everyone was hoping for on Saturday night as Anthony Joshua prepares to take on Kubrat Pulev in a huge heavyweight clash at Wembley Arena. Joshua will be defending his WBA, WBO and IBF world heavyweight titles against the Bulgarian, who he was first scheduled to face over three years […] More
WHEN you are boxing royalty, it is only fitting that you travel like a king. And Anthony Joshua, 31, is no exception, enjoying the use of stunning cars including 4x4s, convertibles, quad bikes and even a snowmobile to get around. The world heavyweight champion defends his WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO titles against Kubrat Pulev […] More
ANTHONY JOSHUA returns to the ring to face Kubrat Pulev in a huge heavyweight bout this weekend. Joshua hasn’t been in action since December 2019, when he beat Andy Ruiz Jr on points in Saudi Arabia. ODDS SPECIAL 4/1 FOR JOSHUA TO WIN VIA KO, DQ OR TKOMobile only / UK and IRE, New customers […] More
BOXING gets even bigger on Saturday night as Anthony Joshua prepares to take on Kubrat Pulev in a huge heavyweight clash at Wembley Arena.
Joshua will be defending his WBA, WBO and IBF world heavyweight titles against the Bulgarian, who he was first scheduled to face over three years ago.
How the fighters compare ahead of their heavyweight bout
The bout is a big one for Joshua, who can all but secure a money-spinning pair of bouts with Tyson Fury with an emphatic win.
When is Anthony Joshua vs Kubrat Pulev?
The fight is scheduled to take place on Saturday, December 12.
It was originally scheduled for June 20 but the coronavirus pandemic put a halt to those plans.
What time does Anthony Joshua vs Kubrat Pulev start?
Sky Sports Box Office being their coverage from Wembley Arena with undercard action from 6pm on Saturday.
Joshua vs Pulev ring walks are expected to start at around 10.30pm UK time on December 12.
Joshua won back his WBA, WBO and IBF titles from Andy Ruiz Jr in DecemberCredit: PA:Press Association
ODDS SPECIAL 4/1 FOR JOSHUA TO WIN VIA KO, DQ OR TKOMobile only / UK and IRE, New customers only / 18+ / begambleaware.org
What channel is it on and can it believe streamed?
Joshua vs Pulev will be shown live on Sky Sports Box Office.
The price of the pay-per-view has been set at £24.95, which is more than usual for a PPV event.
The event can be live streamed from the Sky Sports Box Office app, which you can download onto your mobile or tablet device.
What has been said?
Pulev said: “I have been watching his fights carefully. He has a good style and he is a good specimen, but he has not shown any mental toughness.
“Yes, he has skills, but he hasn’t shown the mental strength. This is something from within, in the blood of a man, and he does not have it.
“Whatever mental toughness he’s got, I know I’m the harder person. This is the difference – my toughness will prevail.”
But Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has said his man will do the business on fight night.
Hearn told Sky Sports: “I went to see him yesterday, he looked absolutely sensational.
“He’s learning, he’s punching so hard, so sharp, so fast. I think this is going to be a tough fight against Kubrat Pulev. I also think he is going to absolutely destroy him.
“I think he’s going to break him down, he’s going to dissect him, and he’s going to punish him. I think you’re going to see a statement.”
Joshua and Pulev were scheduled to fight in 2017 before the latter pulled outCredit: Reuters
Lawrence Okolie is fighting on Joshua’s undercard on SaturdayCredit: Instagram / @lawrenceokolie
Joshua vs Pulev FULL card
Lawrence Okolie is now facing Nikodem Jezewski after original opponent Krzysztof Glowacki tested positive for coronavirus.
Okolie vs Glowacki was set to be for the vacant WBO world cruiserweight title, but the Jezewski bout won’t be as the unbeaten Pole is not ranked by the WBO.
Elsewhere, Ramla Ali has tested positive for coronavirus and will no longer feature on the undercard.
Anthony Joshua vs Kubrat Pulev (WBA, IBF, WBO heavyweight title)
Lawrence Okolie vs Nikodem Jezewski (international cruiserweight title)
Hughie Fury vs Mariusz Wach (heavyweight)
Martin Bakole vs Sergey Kuzmin (heavyweight)
Souleymane Cissokho vs Kieron Conway (light-middleweight)
Florian Marku vs TBA (welterweight)
Qais Ashfaq vs Ashley Lane (super-bantamweight) More
TYSON FURY showed his off brilliant range of branded Christmas jumpers and his MASSIVE tree.
Telling fans to have a ‘merry Christmas you big dossers’ the WBC champion revealed his latest line of merchandise.
Tyson Fury showed his off brilliant range of branded Christmas jumpers
Fury posed next to a massive Christmas tree
Supporters of the Gypsy King can fill their stockings with jumpers and t-shirtsCredit: Instagram @gypsyking101
Supporters of the Gypsy King can fill their stockings with jumpers and t-shirts, which have his face printed on.
In the summer, Fury sold coronavirus face masks with 25 per cent of the profits going to the NHS.
The 32-year-old is still training for his next, despite having a UK homecoming which was scheduled for last week cancelled.
Fury is also awaiting the verdict on his trilogy bout with Deontay Wilder, having attempted to walk away from it, believing the immediate rematch clause expired.
But Wilder, 35, responded by launching a mediation to review his case.
Fury’s US promoter Bob Arum indicated that they will wait until Anthony Joshua, 31, faces Kubrat Pulev, 39, this weekend before deciding their next move.
If AJ wins, it could pave the way for the Gypsy King to go straight into an undisputed title decider.
As a result, Joshua has already started the mind games as he offered to manage his long-time rival into a ‘superstar’.
Fury hit back by refusing the proposal and told AJ he is ‘only interested in smashing your face in’.
Joshua responded: “It was just tongue in cheek, I was just playing with Tyson Fury.
“He nibbled! He couldn’t handle it!”
Anthony Joshua says he is prepared to fight Pulev until the final bell as AJ, Pulev and Bob Arum discuss the upcoming fight More
ANTHONY JOSHUA revealed he was given a ‘long list of heavyweights’ that he is working his way through – but Tyson Fury was not on there.
After AJ came out of the London Olympics in 2012 with a gold medal, he turned pro the following year.
Anthony Joshua was given a ‘long list of heavyweights’ that he is working his way throughCredit: �Dave Thompson/Matchroom
Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder are among names AJ has been linked withCredit: Reuters
His uncle named Derek Chisora and Wladimir Klitschko as opponents to target as well as Kubrat Pulev, who Joshua faces on Saturday night.
But Fury – who won the world title in 2015 – was not listed.
Joshua told Sky Sports: “I have a long list of heavyweights and I’m knocking them off.
“In 2013 my uncle gave me a list of heavyweights and [wrote next to their names]: ‘Chisora, Klitschko…’
“Pulev was on that list. It was a matter of when. He is still here. He’s been here for years.”
Joshua, 31, defeated Klitschko, 44, after a thrilling 11 rounds in 2017, and was due to face Pulev, 39, until the Bulgarian pulled out injured.
AJ’s old amateur boxing pal Chisora, 36, has offered his friend sparring in the past but their paths never crossed in the pro ranks.
Joshua knows victory against Pulev in his mandatory defence puts him a step closer to finally sealing a deal with long-time rival Fury.
But the unified champion can not afford to add any more names onto his list until he gets past his unwanted interim challenge.
He said: “The other fights that have been mentioned? I’m not interested. Just in Pulev.”
Despite years of drawn out back-and-forths with Deontay Wilder, 35, and Fury, 32, Pulev has always been a looming threat for AJ.
He prepared to fight the ex-European champion three years ago before Carlos Takam, 40, filled in as a late replacement.
And Joshua also helped Klitschko prepare to face Pulev with some famous 2014 sparring sessions in Austria.
Joshua faces Kubrat Pulev in a mandatory defence Credit: ©Dave Thompson/Matchroom
As a result, AJ is equipped with extensive knowledge on his rival.
He explained: “I’ve known of Pulev for many years.
“I was in the training camp when his brother [Tervel] was sparring Warren Baister.
“I was in Wladimir Klitschko’s camp when he was preparing for Pulev.
“So I understand some of the tactics to beat Pulev.”
Anthony Joshua and Kubat Pulev workout for the press ahead of their big fight More
ANTHONY JOSHUA fills his down time with beach holidays, off-roading and paintballing when he is not battering boxing opponents in the ring.
The British heavyweight champ, 31, likes to chill out with pals and clear his head when he gets a chance to take a break from his vigorous training regime.
Anthony Joshua enjoys going paintballing with pals
Joshua rides a jet ski during a Caribbean holiday to BarbadosCredit: The Mega Agency
Joshua made time for an 87-year-old fan on holiday in MarbellaCredit: JOHNNY GATES
Watford-born AJ is preparing for Saturday’s fight against Kubrat Pulev in London but is partial to warmer climates, often jetting off to sunny destinations like Marbella and Barbados for some important rest and relaxation.
He bumped into heavyweight rival Tyson Fury in the popular Spanish holiday destination earlier this year.
And the down to earth icon even penned autographs for some of the Gypsy King’s fans.
Now a household name, Joshua came from humble beginnings and showed his kind nature in a heartwarming holiday moment where he held an 87-year-old woman’s hand and chatted to her about boxing.
In 2019 Joshua celebrated regaining his heavyweight titles in his rematch victory over Andy Ruiz Jr by jetting off to the Caribbean.
The laid back brawler played catch in the sea with friends, raced around on a jet ski and showed off his rippling muscles when walking topless along the Barbadian beach.
Joshua likes to fine tune his competitive edge away from the fight game and is a big fan of paintballing.
The 6ft 6in Olympic Gold medallist is a regular at Mayhem in London where he enjoys firing shots at mates in camouflage gear.
Joshua has words with Tyson Fury in MarbellaCredit: Refer to Caption
AJ poses for selfies with Fury fans abroad
And during the height of the coronavirus lockdown, Joshua let off some steam by engaging in a huge Nerf gun battle indoors.
The reigning WBF, WBO, IBF and IBO heavyweight world champion proved he is accurate with more than punches as he got stuck into the play fight with loads of ammunition.
With outdoor activities all the rage amid Covid restrictions, Joshua is likely to be taking his custom FiftyOne road bike for a spin.
Inspired by Conor McGregor’s bespoke £15,000 carbon bike, AJ got one himself but it had to be geared up for the muscle-bound fighter who is TWENTY FIVE kilos heavier than the largest pro cyclist.
Joshua enjoyed a Nerf gun battle during lockdown
The beefy boxer has a custom made and personalised bicycle
AJ’s love of two wheels extends to motorbikes – he once revealed his second favourite sport was motocross in a Q&A.
Joshua enjoys off-roading after starting riding as a teenager with friends and makes sure to maintain his own bike to the highest standard.
He was snapped on Instagram with a special chain lubricant and famously celebrated winning the Commonwealth heavyweight title in 2015 by purchasing a lime green Kawasaki dirt bike.
Anthony Joshua shows off explosive power and speed in training video just days before Kubrat Pulev showdown More
