Promoter Eddie Hearn says WBA/IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua will “almost certainly” be defending his titles against IBF mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev in the UK. “Spurs, Emirates, Cardiff, Twickenham, everywhere is in play, but most likely end of May, early June,” Hearn told Sky Sports.
Hearn stated that the main issue is there’s more money for Joshua-Pulev elsewhere, but Joshua wants to fight in the UK after consecutive bouts in the US and Saudi Arabia. Hearn expects the deal to be done within two weeks.
Oh brother. Seriously? I know some of you may like this matchup, but I just don’t see the point in it only to satisfy the governing bodies saying it’s a mandatory. What a joke!
in isolation the fight isn’t amazing, but I have no problem with it. AJ just had the most draining year of his career (probably) and Wilder and Fury are fighting each other. I just want to see him come out and fight aggressively. I am looking forward to this fight
Looking forward to seeing AJ back in action. But first things first, Tyson Fury Vs Deontay Wilder II…
More avoiding the top dogs. arent you people tired of this lame ass shit?? Deceased HW Champs of the past are rolling in their graves…
Seeing as Fury and Wilder are fighting each other who else do you think AJ should be fighting?
Wow this is the fight weve all been waiting for… not!
a year ago this was a mismatch. Now i am not so sure. Will be interesting to see AJ’s tactics. I hope he can impress and get his confidence and aggression back. I love this sport
Not necessary. But ok
I would accept this fight more freely if AJ was fighting more than twice a year. However, he isn’t, so now he’s wasting 50% of his year.
Somebody asked the fair question, if not Pulev, then who? It’s definitely slim pickings at the top, but I have 2 guys more deserving:
1) Usyk…this is assuming he wants it. Undisputed Cruiserweight Champion deserves head of the line treatment.
2) Whyte…I know AJ already beat him, but nobody fought more contenders prior to the positive drug test. With him being cleared of that, he certainly had done more to deserve a shot than anybody else in the Division.
I challenge everyone to find better options than Pulev and list them. I’m sure I’ve missed someone.
Btw, I do understand the politics, but would any of us fans accuse AJ of ducking Pulev if he dumped the belt and then fought Usyk and the winner of Fury vs Wilder later this year?