Unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua will defend his WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight titles against mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev at The O2 in London on December 12, live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and on DAZN in all of its nine markets including the U.S., on a show promoted by Matchroom Boxing in association with Top Rank and Epic Sports and Entertainment.
Joshua (23-1, 21 KOs) recaptured his belts and position as the unified heavyweight world champion with a masterful unanimous decision victory over Andy Ruiz Jr at the Diriyah Arena in Saudi Arabia on an historical night in December that saw the heavyweight world titles contested for the very first time in the Middle East.
December 12 will be ‘AJ’s’ first fight on UK soil in over two years, since he defended his crowns with a devastating seventh round knockout of Russia’s Alexander Povetkin at Wembley Stadium, and the former Finchley ABC man will be aiming to deal with Pulev in style to set up an Undisputed showdown against WBC Champion and fellow Brit Tyson Fury in 2021.
Pulev (28-1, 14 KOs), the IBF’s No.1-ranked Heavyweight Mandatory Challenger, gets his second shot at World honours after his defeat to modern legend Wladimir Klitschko in 2014 – the only loss of his 29-fight professional career. He has won six fights in a row since then, including victories over Derek Chisora and an IBF Eliminator win over Hughie Fury in 2018.
The Bulgarian superstar was set to challenge Joshua at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium in October 2017 but was forced to withdraw through an injury and will now get his opportunity to ruin the champion’s plans to face Fury in an all-British blockbuster showdown in the future.
“December 12 is the date and once again the Heavyweight belts go up in the air and it is my sole focus to make sure that come December 13 they are in their rightful place in the UK,” said Joshua.
“The O2 is the original lion’s den, I have a lot of history with the arena, but without the fans something huge is missing. I am really hoping that, safety permitting, we might be able to bring some boxing fans in, but we will have to see. I respect every opponent and I respect Pulev. I wish him well during his preparation.”
“For a small country of Bulgaria to stand up for the Heavyweight Titles is a great accomplishment,” said Pulev. “This fight is for my late father and all Bulgarians around the world! I’m coming to London to seize the Heavyweight Championship of the World.”
“After a challenging year for everyone, to end with the unified World Heavyweight Championship is very special,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “Over a year after regaining his crown, Anthony Joshua takes on yet another dangerous opponent in Mandatory Challenger Kubrat Pulev. AJ’s resume is unrivalled, and this is the final hurdle until we challenge for the undisputed crown next year.
“Whilst it’s unusual to think of an AJ fight without tens of thousands of fans in attendance, we will be doing everything we can to lobby for the safe return of fans to this event, we have to move forward together. I know Team Pulev and Bob Arum will be doing all they can to become World Champion on Dec 12 but AJ constantly evolves and improves and I expect a dominant performance and a spectacular KO to close out 2020.”
Bob Arum, Top Rank Chairman, said: “Eddie Hearn better watch out. Kubrat Pulev is going to destroy his plan for a Joshua-Tyson Fury unification fight.”
Basically, a sparring match for Joshua, but Pulev gets a good pay day and bragging rights he once fought Joshua. Great story for his grandkids one day.
Yawn.
Go pulev! AJ sucks ass. Glass jawed cherry picking beeyatch. AJ Hasnt fought fury, wilder or ortiz. And his safety over substance snoozer performance against ruiz 2 was atrocious. Boooo!!
Showing your lack of boxing knowledge with that post.
As long as he avoids Pulev’s devastating rabbit punch, this should be an easy fight for AJ. And avoiding Pulev’s rabbit punch will be good practice for if he ever fights Hrgovic.
Interesting, not many people see, or admit, how Hrgovic also has this habit of aiming punches to the back of the head.
Fury does as well, but I think his are more accidental because he throws so many looping punches.
Oh great, the fight everyone has been waiting for. Where’s doc brown with the delorean so I can go relive heavyweight boxing of the 80’s and 90’s.
Even Fury vs Wilder III is more exciting than Joshua vs Pulev. Pulevs greatest achievement, since his devastating KO-loss to Klitschko 2014, is a split decision against Chisora 2016. That Pulev is the mandatory challenger proves something could be better in the process selecting a true opponent. All respect to Pulev but he should be somewhere else 12 december. Still the work must be done! If Pulev wins that would be the greatest upset of all time.
Pretty sad when many contenders are recycled (older) heavyweights coming back for more. Wish there was more competition of young lions out to seek and destroy to make the sport even more tantalizing.
These days boxers arent active enough to accomodate all challengers. Defending titles once or twice a year builds a backlog. four times a year would be better. FFs Father Christmas is more active than AJ.