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      Anthony Joshua admits it’s ‘crazy’ facing Kubrat Pulev… six years after pretending to BE him

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA says it is ‘crazy’ he is fighting Kubrat Pulev — as six years ago he was pretending to be him!
      AJ was drafted in by Wladimir Klitschko to mimic the Bulgarian in training ahead of their heavyweight title clash.

      Anthony Joshua puts his world titles on the line against Kubrat PulevCredit: ©Dave Thompson/Matchroom

      Six years ago Wladimir Klitschko called on Joshua to help him spar for Kubrat Pulev

      Joshua’s sparring helped Wlad get a KO win before the Watford fighter battered the Ukrainian three years later.
      Tomorrow Pulev is back on the scene against the Brit at Wembley Arena.
      WBA, IBF and WBO champ AJ, 31, said: “It’s crazy how the universe works. I’ve actually implemented some of the stuff Wladimir did in my training for this camp.”
      AJ also says he has boxing’s version of Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson in his corner.

      Team GB master Rob McCracken helped AJ to an Olympic gold in 2012 and three of four heavyweight world titles.
      After the June 2019 loss to Andy Ruiz Jr, some told AJ to ditch his mentor, with even Lennox Lewis calling for him to upgrade.
      But just like Fergie who guided United to 13 Prem titles, Joshua, 31, has one of the most respected men in British sport in his dugout when he fights Kubrat Pulev tomorrow.
      He said: “Rob is the gaffer, I look at him like an Alex Ferguson, he is a great manager and trainer, so it was just about variety and being able to bring in different levels of greatness.”

      Turning his attention to the Bulgarian, 39, Joshua said: “Pulev has very good balance and that is key.
      “You can build skyscrapers on good foundations and nothing on rocky foundations. He is very well schooled.”
      Joshua added trainer Joby Clayton to his team after the Ruiz defeat. And he is learning plenty from the free-thinker who likes to run barefoot around the local streets.
      He said: “Joby is a martial artist so this isn’t just about boxing for him. He is about lifestyle, he likes the old-school fighters from the 1970s and the Kronk Gym, where you can knock people out.”

      Anthony Joshua believes a harsh 2019 toughened him up for Kubrat Pulev battle More

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      Anthony Joshua knows another banana skin loss will lose him mega-millions so expect a cautious fight vs Kubrat Pulev

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      YOU have to be pretty clumsy to slip on a banana skin.
      Yet that’s exactly what Anthony Joshua did  in New York 18 months ago and it cost him his world heavyweight titles.

      Anthony Joshua will be cautious against Kubrat Pulev as he looks to avoid a repeat of his infamous loss to Andy Ruiz JrCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Because he wasn’t looking where he was going in the Madison Square Garden ring, Andy Ruiz Jr — a 25-1 roly-poly no-hoper — floored him four times before stopping him in the seventh round.
      So far it’s the biggest boxing upset we have seen this century.
      At least AJ redeemed himself by regaining his WBA, IBF and WBO belts with an ultra- cautious points win in the rematch with Ruiz in Saudi Arabia six months later.
      Joshua, 31, is well aware he daren’t risk the embarrassment of treading on anything else slippery when he defends against bulky Bulgarian mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev at Wembley Arena, tomorrow night.

      If he should get careless and suffer another disastrous defeat he can kiss goodbye to the mega-millions he would earn in a unification domestic dust-up with WBC champion Tyson Fury the nation has set its heart on seeing in the spring.
      Pulev is a far more accomplished all-round fighter than Ruiz but Joshua is still an overwhelming 1-8  favourite expected to pulverise Pulev with a flourish.
      And Pulev is far from an easy touch and he is certainly not a Sofia-softy. He is a  typical dour plodding product of the Eastern European coaching system.
      He is teak-tough, uncompromising and technically correct.

      But watching him in action is about as exhilarating as an evening on the town with gloomy Covid-19 scientists  Professor Chris Whitty  and Sir Patrick Vallance.
      Cagey Kubrat has a good defence and has lost just one of his 29 fights.
      That was six years and eight winning fights ago, when Wladimir Klitschko put him down three times before knocking him out in the fifth round.
      Pulev, remarkably fit for a man in his 40th year, was an accomplished medal-winning amateur and he did not bother to turn pro until he was 28.
      There is nothing in his record to suggest Joshua has any cause for concern.
      He just managed to get home with a split points decision over Derek Chisora when they met in Hamburg in 2016.
      Joshua is very much faster than Chisora and carries tremendous power in both hands.
      His 1,000 fans allowed at ringside will no doubt be very disappointed if he does not KO Pulev.

      Dereck Chisora discovered Pulev is not a man to be underestimatedCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Joshua knows he can’t afford another defeat amid talks of a unification fight with Tyson FuryCredit: Reuters
      AJ has tried to convince everyone what happened in his first fight with Ruiz is buried in the recesses of his mind.
      I don’t believe it. He wouldn’t be human if it isn’t uppermost in his thoughts as he stands waiting for the opening bell.
      He knows full well, with so much at stake next year, a  similar mistake would have dire consequences for the future.
      A Fury-Joe Joyce or a Fury-Pulev clash somehow hasn’t  got the same spine-tingling expectation.
      Joshua now understands he is far from invincible and it would be foolish if his game-plan isn’t more guarded than gung-ho.
      It will make for a dull fight but I expect him to be prudent and box sensibly behind his left jab and settle for a  comfortable points victory like he did in the Ruiz return.
      If Pulev should destroy our dreams for 2021 and beat him, he will knock football idol Hristo Stoichkov, Barcelona superstar of the 1990s, off his pedestal and become Bulgaria’s greatest-ever sportsman.
      AJ, an articulate and intelligent guy, if he doesn’t know it already, should be conscious of the old saying: “Beware the one who has nothing to lose.”

      Anthony Joshua believes a harsh 2019 toughened him up for Kubrat Pulev battle More

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      Anthony Joshua vs Pulev betting tips: Back AJ stoppage at a massive 4/1, fight to go into late rounds – fight prediction

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA is back and ready to take on Bulgarian slugger Kubrat Pulev at Wembley Arena this weekend.
      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.
      Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org

      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
      Remember to gamble responsibly
      A responsible gambler is someone who:
      Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
      Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
      Never chase their losses
      Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
      Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
      Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org More

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      Anthony Joshua vs Kubrat Pulev: UK start time, live stream, TV channel, undercard, ring walk for HUGE title fight

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      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

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      Anthony Joshua believes a harsh 2019 toughened him up for Kubrat Pulev battle and vows it will be ‘last man standing’

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA believes a harsh 2019 toughened him up perfectly for Kubrat Pulev on Saturday.
      On his US debut last June he cherry-picked Andy Ruiz Jr to be the perfect push-over to help launch him into a Deontay Wilder undisputed battle.

      Anthony Joshua is adamant rebuilding from his shock loss to Andy Ruiz has helped himCredit: ©Mark Robinson/Matchroom

      But the tubby Mexican stunned him, with four deckings inside seven rounds and some critics even accused AJ of quitting the bout while standing in his corner recuperating.
      The 31-year-old rebuilt at his Sheffield Team GB training base, under mentor Rob McCracken, and raced back to outpoint Ruiz last December.
      And the WBA, IBF and WBO champ says he first pro loss, the fall-out and the resurrection have helped forge him in steel.
      “The pressure I went through last year was tough,” he said.

      “But it made me mentally stronger and gave me a thicker skin.
      “I have always been tough and wanted to fight the best.
      “I have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
      “The only way to be successful is to take big challenges and this is another one to be competing with.

      “Just because I took a little loss to Ruiz, that has not changed me. I have a lot of character. We all train hard but it’s character that separates us.”

      Joshua will be hoping to avoid another upset against Kubrat PulevCredit: ©Dave Thompson/Matchroom

      British fight fans have been dining out on AJ’s success since his 2012 London Olympic gold.
      But he now has competition from Tyson Fury whose comeback from a doping ban and a mental health breakdown has captured the hearts and minds of a huge chunk of the nation.
      Joshua’s popularity has undoubtedly taken a small hit but he insists he is in the hurt business for cracking jaws, not slapping backs.
      “I want to promote boxing,” he said. “But I don’t want credit.
      “I am hungry and I want to feed my family and do business with my friends.
      “The world is my oyster but I cannot expect anyone to love me unless I love myself so that’s why I put the work in every day.”

      Joshua was stunned as he was KO’d by outsider Andy Ruiz JrCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      AJ revealed last week that he had allowed some of his sparring partners to batter him in training, without him firing back, to build resilience.
      But he claims it should come as no surprise to his fans as he has been wiping off whacks from the biggest and baddest men on the planet since 2008.
      He said: “I have been fighting at the top level ever since I walked into the gym and had a three-year amateur career with European, World and Olympic championships.
      “I have been punched by the strongest people many times but I am still here and that has never changed me.
      “I am going into this fight, I am definitely going to get hit and he is going to get hit too, so it will be the last man standing.”

      AJ got his revenge against Ruiz Jr with an emphatic points winCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Trainer Rob McCracken has kept the gameplan top secret and the media were even banned from Wednesday’s supposedly ‘open’ workout.
      But the boxing mastermind did again suggest Joshua was damaged going into that shock Ruiz defeat at Madison Square Garden.
      McCracken said: “He’s had a great camp, we have done more boxing sessions, two-a-day in some cases.
      “His athleticism and strength is phenomenal and people don’t realise that until they get in the ring with him.
      “Anthony fights all the best fighters out there, he doesn’t duck anyone.
      “He’s gone through a learning experience, he wasn’t 100 per cent going into the first Ruiz fight but he took the rematch the next day and won it comfortably.”

      Joshua is hoping to keep hold of his world titles for an undisputed clash against Tyson FuryCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Pulev has been fun around the Wembley hotel bubble, regularly lighting up the lounge room with games of giant Jenga.
      But the 39-year-old veteran knows the clock is ticking down on his chance to finally become a world champion, after losing the original 2017 clash with Joshua due to injury.
      Pulev said: “I am ready to fight, I have been waiting since 2017.
      “In 2017 I was 36 or 37 and I had injuries and couldn’t fight or train but now I am happy.
      “I am not 22 years old, I don’t have time, but the fight is here and I am ready for the win.” More

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      Tyson Fury’s incredible family dynasty with NINE pro boxers as cousin Hughie gears up for Anthony Joshua undercard fight

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      TYSON FURY has revealed that his younger brother Roman is set to become the NINTH professional boxer in his family.
      The WBC heavyweight champion’s 23-year-old sibling has no amateur experience but has been training with the Gypsy King during lockdown.

      Tyson Fury’s younger brother Roman, middle, has taken up boxing

      Tyson Fury, 32, is already one of the best heavyweight boxers in the world, with his younger brother, Love Island star Tommy, 21, is 4-0 in the light-heavyweight division.
      Roman had been intending to follow a different career path before taking up boxing with his siblings over the past few months.
      Tyson told iFL TV in September: “Just signing him [Roman] up now, he’s 23-years-old, he’s an aspiring cruiserweight champion of the future.
      “Southpaw, tall, 6ft 2ins, in good shape.

      Hasn’t had any amateur fights, but he’s been around the game a long time so born and bred into it
      Tyson Fury on his brother Roman

      “We’re gonna try and get him – when the boxing starts again – maybe four or five fights within the boxing season and keep him busy for the next couple of years.
      “He’s learning on the job, like Canelo was. Gonna get him to about 20-0 before we move him up.
      “He’s 23, nearly 24. Hasn’t had any amateur fights, but he’s been around the game a long time so born and bred into it.
      “We’ll get him a few fights and see how he goes on. Sugar Hill’s teaching him that Kronk style, he’s learning.”

      Roman, like his brother Shane, had kept a relatively low profile in the Fury family with Tyson, Tommy both boxing stars.
      His cousin Hughie – who has been added to the undercard for Anthony Joshua’s bout against Kubrat Pulev – is a 23-3 heavyweight.
      Roman explained in the iFL interview: “When lockdown happened I had nothing else to do.
      “I had no work on, as many people didn’t, and I had the opportunity to go and train.
      “So I did it, got fit, lost a bit of weight and I just fell in love with it.

      I’ve put everything on hold and I’m gonna give it my best and see how we go…It’s like an experiment, I wanna see how far I can go
      Roman Fury

      “I thought, ‘I’ve always wanted to do it, so why not now?’
      “So I’ve put everything on hold and I’m gonna give it my best and see how we go…It’s like an experiment, I wanna see how far I can go.
      “Just started it now at 23, but it’s all about self-belief and I do have a lot of that.”
      Roman said his older brother Tyson told him if he is going to become a boxer he has to be a hundred percent committed.

      He added: “He [Tyson] just said listen, if you want to do it that badly, you can, it’s never too late.
      “But you need to put a hundred percent in, everything you’ve got, no slacking, no doing out on the weekends, nothing like that, you’ve got to completely dedicate yourself.
      “He’s not said it’s too late for you, give it up and all that, he’s been nothing but supportive, same as Tommy – same as everyone, the whole family.”

      Tyson Fury shows off explosive power and works on brutal hooks which destroyed Wilder in training ahead of trilogy fight More

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      Anthony Joshua vs Kubrat Pulev: Date, UK start time, live stream, TV channel, undercard, ring walk for HUGE title fight

      by

      BOXING gets even bigger on Saturday night as Anthony Joshua prepares to take on Kubrat Pulev in a huge heavyweight clash in front of 1,000 fans 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

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      Anthony Joshua vs Kubrat Pulev: UK start time, date, live stream, TV channel, undercard, ring walk for HUGE title fight

      by

      BOXING gets even bigger on Saturday night as Anthony Joshua prepares to take on Kubrat Pulev in a huge heavyweight clash in front of 1,000 fans 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 (cruiserweight)
      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