Or stick Okolie and Hughie Fury on the undercard that should knock about 20k off.Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑25 Aug 2020, 16:56What about Wembley? If everyone is spaced out, in their own bubbles, could get around 20-30k can’t they?jameswilson wrote: ↑25 Aug 2020, 16:55If we don’t hear anything on crowds by mid September I’d imagine it will be announced for a foreign country where there won’t be a need for a big crowd.Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑25 Aug 2020, 08:07 Wonder when this will be rescheduled for.. Any news? Anyone know anyone who knows anything?
Did Hearn or AJ say anything on Fight Camp?
Anthony Joshua vs. Kubrat Pulev - 12 December 2020
Re: Anthony Joshua vs. Kubrat Pulev - November 2020?
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Ruthless-RKO
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Re: Anthony Joshua vs. Kubrat Pulev - 12 December 2020?
The fight between unified heavyweight world titlist Anthony Joshua and mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev is being penciled in to take place on Dec. 12 at the O2 Arena in London, both sides told Boxing Scene on Monday.
The fight for Joshua’s three major belts was originally scheduled to take place on June 20 at the 70,000-seat Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London but it had to be postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“Yes, Dec. 12 at the O2 is the plan for AJ,” Hearn said, adding that he is hopeful that some fans will be permitted to attend the bout after months of events at which fans were not allowed because of the ongoing pandemic.
Hearn said British authorities are aiming to allow at least 25 percent capacities at venues beginning in October.
“We are happy that the fight appears to be back on track and that we have a new date and site,” said promoter John Wirt of Epic Sports, which co-promotes Pulev with Top Rank. “There is still some tweaking to do on the contract but we are optimistic it should be concluded this week.”
While both camps like the date and site they still need to finalize the financial terms, which may change from the agreement they previously signed because of what would likely be a significant reduction in gate revenue when moving the fight from a likely full stadium in June to a much smaller venue with a partial crowd in December.
“All being discussed,” Hearn said.
If the sides wind up being unable to iron out the money the fight could to an IBF purse bid, which would entitle Joshua to 65 percent and Pulev to 35 percent of the winning bid. The Pulev team has long held that it could take the fight to Pulev’s hometown of Sofia, Bulgaria, where is a superstar, and have strong financial backing there.
Pulev (28-1, 14 KOs), 39, stands in the way of Joshua (23-1, 21 KOs), 30, perhaps facing British countryman Tyson Fury (30-0-1, 21 KOs) for the undisputed world title next year.
Joshua would have to beat Pulev, who has won eight fights in a row since his lone loss by fifth-round knockout challenging then-unified world champion Wladimir Klitschko in November 2014, and Fury would to retain his title in a planned third bout with former titlist Deontay Wilder (42-1-1, 41 KOs) that is penciled in for December but could move to early 2021. The Joshua and Fury camps claim they have already agreed to a financial outline of a deal to meet next year in what would be the one of the biggest fights in boxing.
Pulev has been idle since a lopsided 10-round decision victory over Rydell Brooker on Nov. 9 in Fresno, California.
Joshua has been out of the ring since rolling to a one-sided unanimous decision in a rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr. on Dec. 7 in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, where he regained the belts he lost to Ruiz by seventh-round knockout in a monumental upset in June 2019 at Madison Square Garden in New York.
The fight for Joshua’s three major belts was originally scheduled to take place on June 20 at the 70,000-seat Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London but it had to be postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“Yes, Dec. 12 at the O2 is the plan for AJ,” Hearn said, adding that he is hopeful that some fans will be permitted to attend the bout after months of events at which fans were not allowed because of the ongoing pandemic.
Hearn said British authorities are aiming to allow at least 25 percent capacities at venues beginning in October.
“We are happy that the fight appears to be back on track and that we have a new date and site,” said promoter John Wirt of Epic Sports, which co-promotes Pulev with Top Rank. “There is still some tweaking to do on the contract but we are optimistic it should be concluded this week.”
While both camps like the date and site they still need to finalize the financial terms, which may change from the agreement they previously signed because of what would likely be a significant reduction in gate revenue when moving the fight from a likely full stadium in June to a much smaller venue with a partial crowd in December.
“All being discussed,” Hearn said.
If the sides wind up being unable to iron out the money the fight could to an IBF purse bid, which would entitle Joshua to 65 percent and Pulev to 35 percent of the winning bid. The Pulev team has long held that it could take the fight to Pulev’s hometown of Sofia, Bulgaria, where is a superstar, and have strong financial backing there.
Pulev (28-1, 14 KOs), 39, stands in the way of Joshua (23-1, 21 KOs), 30, perhaps facing British countryman Tyson Fury (30-0-1, 21 KOs) for the undisputed world title next year.
Joshua would have to beat Pulev, who has won eight fights in a row since his lone loss by fifth-round knockout challenging then-unified world champion Wladimir Klitschko in November 2014, and Fury would to retain his title in a planned third bout with former titlist Deontay Wilder (42-1-1, 41 KOs) that is penciled in for December but could move to early 2021. The Joshua and Fury camps claim they have already agreed to a financial outline of a deal to meet next year in what would be the one of the biggest fights in boxing.
Pulev has been idle since a lopsided 10-round decision victory over Rydell Brooker on Nov. 9 in Fresno, California.
Joshua has been out of the ring since rolling to a one-sided unanimous decision in a rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr. on Dec. 7 in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, where he regained the belts he lost to Ruiz by seventh-round knockout in a monumental upset in June 2019 at Madison Square Garden in New York.
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Re: Anthony Joshua vs. Kubrat Pulev - 12 December 2020?
Okolie vs. Glowacki For Vacant WBO Title on Joshua-Pulev Undercard
Former cruiserweight world titlist Krzysztof Glowacki and rising contender Lawrence Okolie will meet for the vacant WBO cruiserweight belt on the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s unified heavyweight title defense against mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev, Matchroom Boxing promoter told BS on Wednesday.
Earlier this week, Hearn told BS that Joshua-Pulev is penciled in for Dec. 12 at the O2 Arena in London following a coronavirus-induced postponement from June 20 at the London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
Some contract points on Joshua-Pulev are in the process of being ironed out to accommodate the change from the fight being planned to take place in a 70,000-seat stadium to the much smaller O2, where Hearn hopes to have at least a limited number of spectators allowed. But the plan is to have Glowacki-Okolie as one of the chief supporting bouts on that card.
“It’s a big crossroads fight but one I believe Okolie is ready for,” said Hearn, Okolie’s promoter. “He is a huge puncher and improving all the time. I believe Britain will have a new world champion in December.”
The fight will be a major step up in opposition for Okolie (14-0, 11 KOs), 27, one of England’s most highly regarded up-and-coming boxers. He has not fought since October 2019 when he knocked out Yves Ngabu in the seventh round to win the European cruiserweight title, which he has since vacated.
Okolie has boxed on major undercards previously, having defeated Ngabu on the undercard of the World Boxing Super Series junior welterweight tournament final between Josh Taylor and Regis Prograis. He also boxed on the Joshua-Alexander Povetkin undercard in September 2018 and Joshua-Carlos Takam undercard in October 2017.
The 34-year-old Glowacki (31-2, 19 KOs), of Poland, comes into the fight with far more experience than Okolie and much deeper resume.
Glowacki won the WBO cruiserweight title from long-reigning titlist Marco Huck in an all-out slugfest in August 2015 in Newark, New Jersey. Glowacki made one successful defense against former world titlist Steve Cunningham before he lost the belt to Oleksandr Usyk by unanimous decision on home turf in Poland in September 2016.
In 2018, Glowacki outpointed Maxim Vlasov for the vacant interim title in the quarterfinals of the World Boxing Super Series in Chicago. After being elevated by the WBO to the full titleholder, Glowacki was controversially knocked out by Mairis Briedis in the third round of their semifinal bout in June 2019.
The WBO ordered an immediate rematch but with Briedis contractually tied to the World Boxing Super Series, he declined to fight Glowacki again and was stripped of the title, leaving the vacant belt to be contested by Glowacki and Okolie.
Former cruiserweight world titlist Krzysztof Glowacki and rising contender Lawrence Okolie will meet for the vacant WBO cruiserweight belt on the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s unified heavyweight title defense against mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev, Matchroom Boxing promoter told BS on Wednesday.
Earlier this week, Hearn told BS that Joshua-Pulev is penciled in for Dec. 12 at the O2 Arena in London following a coronavirus-induced postponement from June 20 at the London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
Some contract points on Joshua-Pulev are in the process of being ironed out to accommodate the change from the fight being planned to take place in a 70,000-seat stadium to the much smaller O2, where Hearn hopes to have at least a limited number of spectators allowed. But the plan is to have Glowacki-Okolie as one of the chief supporting bouts on that card.
“It’s a big crossroads fight but one I believe Okolie is ready for,” said Hearn, Okolie’s promoter. “He is a huge puncher and improving all the time. I believe Britain will have a new world champion in December.”
The fight will be a major step up in opposition for Okolie (14-0, 11 KOs), 27, one of England’s most highly regarded up-and-coming boxers. He has not fought since October 2019 when he knocked out Yves Ngabu in the seventh round to win the European cruiserweight title, which he has since vacated.
Okolie has boxed on major undercards previously, having defeated Ngabu on the undercard of the World Boxing Super Series junior welterweight tournament final between Josh Taylor and Regis Prograis. He also boxed on the Joshua-Alexander Povetkin undercard in September 2018 and Joshua-Carlos Takam undercard in October 2017.
The 34-year-old Glowacki (31-2, 19 KOs), of Poland, comes into the fight with far more experience than Okolie and much deeper resume.
Glowacki won the WBO cruiserweight title from long-reigning titlist Marco Huck in an all-out slugfest in August 2015 in Newark, New Jersey. Glowacki made one successful defense against former world titlist Steve Cunningham before he lost the belt to Oleksandr Usyk by unanimous decision on home turf in Poland in September 2016.
In 2018, Glowacki outpointed Maxim Vlasov for the vacant interim title in the quarterfinals of the World Boxing Super Series in Chicago. After being elevated by the WBO to the full titleholder, Glowacki was controversially knocked out by Mairis Briedis in the third round of their semifinal bout in June 2019.
The WBO ordered an immediate rematch but with Briedis contractually tied to the World Boxing Super Series, he declined to fight Glowacki again and was stripped of the title, leaving the vacant belt to be contested by Glowacki and Okolie.
Re: Anthony Joshua vs. Kubrat Pulev - 12 December 2020?
Good luck to Okolie, he'll need to work on a few new clutches and grabs but if he turns up definitely has a chance.Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑03 Sep 2020, 08:19 Okolie vs. Glowacki For Vacant WBO Title on Joshua-Pulev Undercard
Former cruiserweight world titlist Krzysztof Glowacki and rising contender Lawrence Okolie will meet for the vacant WBO cruiserweight belt on the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s unified heavyweight title defense against mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev, Matchroom Boxing promoter told BS on Wednesday.
Earlier this week, Hearn told BS that Joshua-Pulev is penciled in for Dec. 12 at the O2 Arena in London following a coronavirus-induced postponement from June 20 at the London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
Some contract points on Joshua-Pulev are in the process of being ironed out to accommodate the change from the fight being planned to take place in a 70,000-seat stadium to the much smaller O2, where Hearn hopes to have at least a limited number of spectators allowed. But the plan is to have Glowacki-Okolie as one of the chief supporting bouts on that card.
“It’s a big crossroads fight but one I believe Okolie is ready for,” said Hearn, Okolie’s promoter. “He is a huge puncher and improving all the time. I believe Britain will have a new world champion in December.”
The fight will be a major step up in opposition for Okolie (14-0, 11 KOs), 27, one of England’s most highly regarded up-and-coming boxers. He has not fought since October 2019 when he knocked out Yves Ngabu in the seventh round to win the European cruiserweight title, which he has since vacated.
Okolie has boxed on major undercards previously, having defeated Ngabu on the undercard of the World Boxing Super Series junior welterweight tournament final between Josh Taylor and Regis Prograis. He also boxed on the Joshua-Alexander Povetkin undercard in September 2018 and Joshua-Carlos Takam undercard in October 2017.
The 34-year-old Glowacki (31-2, 19 KOs), of Poland, comes into the fight with far more experience than Okolie and much deeper resume.
Glowacki won the WBO cruiserweight title from long-reigning titlist Marco Huck in an all-out slugfest in August 2015 in Newark, New Jersey. Glowacki made one successful defense against former world titlist Steve Cunningham before he lost the belt to Oleksandr Usyk by unanimous decision on home turf in Poland in September 2016.
In 2018, Glowacki outpointed Maxim Vlasov for the vacant interim title in the quarterfinals of the World Boxing Super Series in Chicago. After being elevated by the WBO to the full titleholder, Glowacki was controversially knocked out by Mairis Briedis in the third round of their semifinal bout in June 2019.
The WBO ordered an immediate rematch but with Briedis contractually tied to the World Boxing Super Series, he declined to fight Glowacki again and was stripped of the title, leaving the vacant belt to be contested by Glowacki and Okolie.
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Ruthless-RKO
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Re: Anthony Joshua vs. Kubrat Pulev - 12 December 2020?
Announcement is Close, Hearn Hopes For Fans in Venue
Eddie Hearn says he is hoping and praying that Anthony Joshua’s delayed world heavyweight title defence against Kubrat Pulev will go ahead in front of a packed O2 Arena in London on December 12, but says that Joshua, the WBA, IBO, WBO and IBF heavyweight champion, will box this year ahead of a likely fight with WBC champion Tyson Fury next year.
Hearn says he is on the verge of an announcement for the fight, which originally scheduled for June at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium before the coronavirus pandemic lockdown happened.
The Matchroom boss was announcing the rematch between Alexander Povetkin v Dillian Whyte rematch was set for November 21 and shows headlined by Joshua Buatsi and Lewis Ritson on October 4 and October 21 respectively.
He also said that there was an outside chance that the delayed heavyweight clash between Oleksandr Usyk and Dereck Chisora could take place on October 31.
“AJ, December 12 at the O2, that is the date we are trying to make that fight for,” Hearn said on Sky Sports News. “We are on the verge of an announcement, we hope and pray that it can be in front of a packed O2, or a crowd in some capacity.
“But his career must continue. As we build up to the undisputed fight next year, he must fight this year, fans or no fans.”
Hearn said that Joshua had agreed to box whether a crowd is allowed or now, although he added that he hoped 1,000 fans would be allowed for both October shows.
“One thing that is important about all this schedule, AJ included, is we crack on, fans or no fans,” Hearn said. “We’ve got to find a way to keep this momentum going and we will do it.
“All these fights and all those fighters that are listed, AJ included, are committed to fighting this year, behind closed doors or in front of fans.
“Tomorrow we have a little feedback coming from the Government where we hope we will be allowed 1,000 fans for Buatsi and Ritson and as we move on to November, hopefully Diliian Whyte v Alexander Povetkin can have fans in attendance. There is a little outside chance you might see Usyk v Chisora on October 31 as well.”
Ritson’s fight with Miguel Vasquez will take place at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle (formerly the Metro Radio Arena), while no venue was announced for Buatsi’s fight with Marko Calic. He said he hoped Povetkin-Whyte 2, for the interim WBC heavyweight title, would be at either the Royal Albert Hall or Wembley Arena.
Eddie Hearn says he is hoping and praying that Anthony Joshua’s delayed world heavyweight title defence against Kubrat Pulev will go ahead in front of a packed O2 Arena in London on December 12, but says that Joshua, the WBA, IBO, WBO and IBF heavyweight champion, will box this year ahead of a likely fight with WBC champion Tyson Fury next year.
Hearn says he is on the verge of an announcement for the fight, which originally scheduled for June at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium before the coronavirus pandemic lockdown happened.
The Matchroom boss was announcing the rematch between Alexander Povetkin v Dillian Whyte rematch was set for November 21 and shows headlined by Joshua Buatsi and Lewis Ritson on October 4 and October 21 respectively.
He also said that there was an outside chance that the delayed heavyweight clash between Oleksandr Usyk and Dereck Chisora could take place on October 31.
“AJ, December 12 at the O2, that is the date we are trying to make that fight for,” Hearn said on Sky Sports News. “We are on the verge of an announcement, we hope and pray that it can be in front of a packed O2, or a crowd in some capacity.
“But his career must continue. As we build up to the undisputed fight next year, he must fight this year, fans or no fans.”
Hearn said that Joshua had agreed to box whether a crowd is allowed or now, although he added that he hoped 1,000 fans would be allowed for both October shows.
“One thing that is important about all this schedule, AJ included, is we crack on, fans or no fans,” Hearn said. “We’ve got to find a way to keep this momentum going and we will do it.
“All these fights and all those fighters that are listed, AJ included, are committed to fighting this year, behind closed doors or in front of fans.
“Tomorrow we have a little feedback coming from the Government where we hope we will be allowed 1,000 fans for Buatsi and Ritson and as we move on to November, hopefully Diliian Whyte v Alexander Povetkin can have fans in attendance. There is a little outside chance you might see Usyk v Chisora on October 31 as well.”
Ritson’s fight with Miguel Vasquez will take place at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle (formerly the Metro Radio Arena), while no venue was announced for Buatsi’s fight with Marko Calic. He said he hoped Povetkin-Whyte 2, for the interim WBC heavyweight title, would be at either the Royal Albert Hall or Wembley Arena.
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Ruthless-RKO
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Re: Anthony Joshua vs. Kubrat Pulev - 12 December 2020
This will be confirmed anytime soon.
Re: Anthony Joshua vs. Kubrat Pulev - 12 December 2020
If they're doing stuff at the Albert Hall in December with over 50% capacity allowed in can't see why they can't do 5/6000 at the O2 or something similar
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Re: Anthony Joshua vs. Kubrat Pulev - 12 December 2020
Pulev Says Contract is Signed, Expects To Face Joshua on December 12
Once-beaten Kubrat Pulev has announced to his followers that everything has been finalized to fight IBF, IBO, WBA, WBO heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua on December 12 in London.
The 39-year-old, who is the mandatory challenger under the IBF, had been scheduled to meet Joshua on June 20 but the fight was postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
The fight date was kicked around a few more times, before settling down in the month of December.
“No turning back, no procrastination! Kubrat Pulev vs Anthony Joshua! The date is December 12th and the place is London! The date and place of the event are now final and not subject to change, and both parties have signed the official contract," Pulev stated.
For Joshua, 30-years-old, the bout will be his first since he won a twelve round unanimous decision over Andy Ruiz in a rematch in Saudi Arabia last December to avenge his first career defeat and reclaim his world titles.
The British superstar was initially scheduled to fight Pulev at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium in October 2017. The fight was called off when Pulev withdrew after suffering a shoulder injury in sparring.
Pulev suffered his only career defeat back in 2014, when he was knocked out in five rounds by Wladimir Klitschko in Hamburg.
Once-beaten Kubrat Pulev has announced to his followers that everything has been finalized to fight IBF, IBO, WBA, WBO heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua on December 12 in London.
The 39-year-old, who is the mandatory challenger under the IBF, had been scheduled to meet Joshua on June 20 but the fight was postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
The fight date was kicked around a few more times, before settling down in the month of December.
“No turning back, no procrastination! Kubrat Pulev vs Anthony Joshua! The date is December 12th and the place is London! The date and place of the event are now final and not subject to change, and both parties have signed the official contract," Pulev stated.
For Joshua, 30-years-old, the bout will be his first since he won a twelve round unanimous decision over Andy Ruiz in a rematch in Saudi Arabia last December to avenge his first career defeat and reclaim his world titles.
The British superstar was initially scheduled to fight Pulev at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium in October 2017. The fight was called off when Pulev withdrew after suffering a shoulder injury in sparring.
Pulev suffered his only career defeat back in 2014, when he was knocked out in five rounds by Wladimir Klitschko in Hamburg.
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Ruthless-RKO
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Re: Anthony Joshua vs. Kubrat Pulev - 12 December 2020
Kubrat Pulev has referred to Anthony Joshua's skin ahead of world heavyweight title fight
Kubrat Pulev has made a reference to Anthony Joshua's skin colour ahead of their expected world heavyweight title fight in December.
When asked for his verdict on the British champion, Pulev referred to the colour of Joshua's skin.
"His strengths? I'd say he has a very powerful punch undeniably," said Pulev.
"What are his other strengths? His tan is better than mine."
Further comment has been requested from Anthony Joshua, Matchroom Boxing and Kubrat Pulev.
Kubrat Pulev has made a reference to Anthony Joshua's skin colour ahead of their expected world heavyweight title fight in December.
When asked for his verdict on the British champion, Pulev referred to the colour of Joshua's skin.
"His strengths? I'd say he has a very powerful punch undeniably," said Pulev.
"What are his other strengths? His tan is better than mine."
Further comment has been requested from Anthony Joshua, Matchroom Boxing and Kubrat Pulev.
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Ruthless-RKO
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Re: Anthony Joshua vs. Kubrat Pulev - 12 December 2020
Oooooooooooohhh.. Controversial..
Sky trying to make this into something? Create BEEF!
Has Pulev crossed a line here.
Sky trying to make this into something? Create BEEF!
Has Pulev crossed a line here.
Re: Anthony Joshua vs. Kubrat Pulev - 12 December 2020
Now Pulev gonna be taken off the bout, DQed and stuff like that for racism. 
Re: Anthony Joshua vs. Kubrat Pulev - 12 December 2020
Eastern Euro Balkans types aren't PC shocker
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Ruthless-RKO
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Ruthless-RKO
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Ruthless-RKO
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Re: Anthony Joshua vs. Kubrat Pulev - 12 December 2020
Press Release
Unified Heavyweight Champion of the World Anthony Joshua OBE will defend his IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO World Titles against Mandatory Challenger Kubrat Pulev at The O2 in London on Saturday 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.”
258 Managing Director Freddie Cunningham said: "Anthony again shows his willingness and desire to chase the Undisputed Title with another tough mandatory fight and despite the challenges of making a fight of this scale during these times it is important for AJ to keep momentum. It will be an exciting way to end the year and unique in every way. We will be working with Matchroom to build a card full of 258 fighters to give the fans entertainment throughout the undercard."
John Wirt, President of Epic Sports and Entertainment, said: “Crowd or no crowd, we are coming to AJ’s backyard to claim the titles. Come December 12, there will be no more excuses or delays. I guarantee that it will be an epic battle and that Kubrat will stop AJ inside the distance.”
“Anthony Joshua returns to the ring, a year after recapturing his World Titles from Andy Ruiz Jr, and Britain’s Unified World Champion will be determined to reign supreme in a hotly-contested Heavyweight division," said Adam Smith, Head of Sky Sports Boxing Development.
“Kubrat Pulev has proven pedigree, with just that sole defeat to Wladimir Klitschko, and he’ll be hoping to send more shockwaves through the sport with an upset victory, but I know that AJ has been training tirelessly, priming his explosive power for another night of fireworks.
“Tyson Fury will of course be watching - as an Undisputed World Title fight is within touching distance - and AJ cannot afford a slip-up in a blockbuster ending to the boxing year.”
“We’re thrilled to bring the Heavyweight Championship of the World to all DAZN subscribers,” said DAZN EVP Joseph Markowski. “AJ-Pulev will have major consequences for the entire boxing landscape as both men aim to end the year in emphatic fashion.”
DAZN is currently available in the U.S., as well as Austria, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain and Switzerland.
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mickey1975
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Re: Anthony Joshua vs. Kubrat Pulev - 12 December 2020
Saying on Twitter that Pulev is out and Charles Martin is in.
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mickey1975
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Re: Anthony Joshua vs. Kubrat Pulev - 12 December 2020
Fake account!
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Boxerbeetle
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Re: Anthony Joshua vs. Kubrat Pulev - 12 December 2020
You don’t say
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mickey1975
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Re: Anthony Joshua vs. Kubrat Pulev - 12 December 2020
I wouldn’t be surprised.Boxerbeetle wrote: ↑18 Oct 2020, 13:59You don’t say![]()
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Ruthless-RKO
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Re: Anthony Joshua vs. Kubrat Pulev - 12 December 2020
Chisora v Usyk: BBC Radio 5 Live signs deal to include Joshua, Taylor and Saunders fights
Derek Chisora versus Oleksandr Usyk will be broadcast on BBC Radio 5 Live on Saturday as part of a deal that also includes Anthony Joshua's next bout.
Chisora's Wembley Arena fight kick-starts a hectic spell in British boxing and BBC Radio 5 Live will air ringside commentary for four huge fight nights.
The deal includes world-title bouts featuring Katie Taylor on 14 November and Billy Joe Saunders on 4 December.
World heavyweight champion Joshua takes on Kubrat Pulev on 12 December.
"We were there for Anthony Joshua's redemption mission in Saudi Arabia last December and we'll be back at ringside for his first fight in more than a year," said BBC Sport boxing correspondent Mike Costello.
"With Billy Joe Saunders also back in action and Katie Taylor topping a bill featuring three women's world title fights, we've rarely featured a more hectic spell of boxing on 5 Live.
"Joshua's showdown against Kubrat Pulev closes out an unprecedented run of fights in British heavyweight boxing and it all begins at Wembley Arena on Saturday."
All of the bouts will be behind closed doors at Wembley Arena and BBC Sport will offer live text commentary alongside radio coverage.
Chisora, 36, is an underdog against Ukraine's Usyk, who has 17 wins from 17 bouts and held all four world titles at cruiserweight before moving up to the heavyweight division.
Taylor's bout two weeks later will see the 34-year-old Irishwoman risk all four of her women's world lightweight titles against Spain's undefeated Miriam Gutierrez, 37. The fight night features three women's bouts - all for world titles at different weights - at the top of the card.
Saunders, 31, will look to find momentum in defending his WBO world super-middleweight title against fellow Briton Martin Murray on 4 December. Murray, 38, has fought for a world title four times before and his five career defeats in 45 bouts have all come against elite opposition.
And Joshua will round off a hectic pre-Christmas period when he faces Bulgaria's Pulev with three of the four world heavyweight titles on the line.
A win could go a long way to setting up a 2021 meeting with Tyson Fury, who fights on 5 December and holds the only belt Joshua does not possess.
Derek Chisora versus Oleksandr Usyk will be broadcast on BBC Radio 5 Live on Saturday as part of a deal that also includes Anthony Joshua's next bout.
Chisora's Wembley Arena fight kick-starts a hectic spell in British boxing and BBC Radio 5 Live will air ringside commentary for four huge fight nights.
The deal includes world-title bouts featuring Katie Taylor on 14 November and Billy Joe Saunders on 4 December.
World heavyweight champion Joshua takes on Kubrat Pulev on 12 December.
"We were there for Anthony Joshua's redemption mission in Saudi Arabia last December and we'll be back at ringside for his first fight in more than a year," said BBC Sport boxing correspondent Mike Costello.
"With Billy Joe Saunders also back in action and Katie Taylor topping a bill featuring three women's world title fights, we've rarely featured a more hectic spell of boxing on 5 Live.
"Joshua's showdown against Kubrat Pulev closes out an unprecedented run of fights in British heavyweight boxing and it all begins at Wembley Arena on Saturday."
All of the bouts will be behind closed doors at Wembley Arena and BBC Sport will offer live text commentary alongside radio coverage.
Chisora, 36, is an underdog against Ukraine's Usyk, who has 17 wins from 17 bouts and held all four world titles at cruiserweight before moving up to the heavyweight division.
Taylor's bout two weeks later will see the 34-year-old Irishwoman risk all four of her women's world lightweight titles against Spain's undefeated Miriam Gutierrez, 37. The fight night features three women's bouts - all for world titles at different weights - at the top of the card.
Saunders, 31, will look to find momentum in defending his WBO world super-middleweight title against fellow Briton Martin Murray on 4 December. Murray, 38, has fought for a world title four times before and his five career defeats in 45 bouts have all come against elite opposition.
And Joshua will round off a hectic pre-Christmas period when he faces Bulgaria's Pulev with three of the four world heavyweight titles on the line.
A win could go a long way to setting up a 2021 meeting with Tyson Fury, who fights on 5 December and holds the only belt Joshua does not possess.
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Re: Anthony Joshua vs. Kubrat Pulev - 12 December 2020

Press Release
Lawrence Okolie will take on Krzysztof Glowacki for the vacant WBO Cruiserweight World Title on the undercard of Anthony Joshua vs. Kubrat Pulev at The O2 in London on Saturday December 12, shown live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and on DAZN in more than 200 countries and territories including Poland.
Okolie (14-0, 11 KOs) claimed the EBU European Cruiserweight Title with a seventh-round stoppage of the previously unbeaten Yves Ngabu in October last year, capping a successful 2019 which saw four knockouts in as many fights for the Hackney man.
Glowacki (31-2, 19 KOs) knocked out Germany’s Marco Huck in eleven rounds to win the WBO World Title in 2015 before widely outpointing Steve Cunningham in his first defence. He suffered the first defeat of his career against Ukrainian pound-for-pound star Oleksandr Usyk in his next fight.
The Polish southpaw earned the interim WBO Title by decisioning Maxim Vlasov at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago in November 2018 but was stopped in three rounds by Latvia’s Mairis Briedis last year in a challenge for the full title.
“It has been a long and hard road to get here,” said Okolie. “I’m very excited and blessed to have this opportunity; I’ll be grabbing it with both hands. I will become Britain’s next World Champion on December 12.
“Glowacki is a great fighter and he is someone that I looked up to when I first started boxing. I believe he won the World Title the same year I was pushing to try and get on the Olympic team when I’d had 15 amateur fights.
“He’s a former two-time World Champion and has only lost twice to two elite opponents. He’s going to be my biggest test on paper as a professional. He is a consummate professional and will do everything in his power to win.
“I have to be on my A game, and I will be. I’m happy that throughout my career I have faced the best opposition that I could have at every stage. This is just another one of those.”
“I will retrieve my belt and I will bring it back to Poland,” said Glowacki. “I will become WBO World Champion for the third time in my career, there is no other option. I am prepared for a hard battle because Lawrence Okolie is big, strong and awkward, but the belt is mine and I will bring it back home.”
"In just 14 fights Lawrence Okolie has done it all and now it’s the moment of truth," said promoter Eddie Hearn. "Britain has the chance to crown another World Champion but Lawrence has it all to do against a great fighter and former World Champ in Krysztof Glowacki and someone who has mixed consistently at the top level. This is going to be a huge night and a huge moment for Lawrence - we can’t wait."
"The time has come for Lawrence," said 258 Athlete Advisor Anthony Joshua. "This is a huge opportunity, one I know he will rise to. He is about to fight at the most elite level possible. He will prepare diligently and be ready.
"The whole team at 258 MGT are behind him. We are proud to have helped guide him inside and out of the ring since his professional debut to his first World Title opportunity in under 4 years."
Joshua (23-1, 21 KOs) defends his IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO World Titles against Mandatory Challenger Pulev (28-1, 14 KOs) on a huge night of action, with more fights to be announced soon.
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Re: Anthony Joshua vs. Kubrat Pulev - 12 December 2020
Heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua has employed both Germans Peter Kadiru from the SES stable in Germany, as well as big Christian Thun from Universum, as sparring partners as he prepares for the fight against Kubrat Pulev on December 12. As for Thun he prepares for a fight on Universum's gym show on November 14 where he takes on Brit Danny Whitaker. - Boxing Scene
Re: Anthony Joshua vs. Kubrat Pulev - 12 December 2020
Surprised fights involving Hughie Fury and Okolie are going on the card. No disrespect to both but they’re not the most exciting fighters and with the casual audience AJ will bring in you’d think Hearn would want exciting fights that might make them stick around.
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Re: Anthony Joshua vs. Kubrat Pulev - 12 December 2020
Anthony Joshua vs. Kubrat Pulev Venue Switch Seems Likely
Anthony Joshua’s world heavyweight title defence against Kubrat Pulev could move venues as hopes of a crowd being allowed to attend begin to recede.
Joshua is due to defend his WBA, WBO, IBO and IBF heavyweight titles against the Bulgarian at the O2 Arena, London, on December 12, but with England in lockdown until December 2, the chances of any fans being allowed to get in seems minimal.
Eddie Hearn had hoped for a crowd of around 4,700 would be permitted to watch the fight at the 20,000-capacity venue.
If no crowd is allowed, the venue could change to the SSE Arena, at Wembley, where Matchroom stage the second show of their residency behind-closed-doors on Saturday, when Katie Taylor faces Miriam Gutierrez. Two more shows are planned at Wembley on November 21 and December 4.
“We haven’t given up on the O2, but if we can’t get any fans in, [then] the set-up is already in place at Wembley,” Hearn said. “We had hoped to get 3-4,000 at the O2 and the fight is one we have put forward to the Government to say ‘what an event to start letting fans back’. But I can’t see it being top of their agenda right now.
“But we would only now be talking about 1,000 fans. Right now I would take 400.”
Anthony Joshua’s world heavyweight title defence against Kubrat Pulev could move venues as hopes of a crowd being allowed to attend begin to recede.
Joshua is due to defend his WBA, WBO, IBO and IBF heavyweight titles against the Bulgarian at the O2 Arena, London, on December 12, but with England in lockdown until December 2, the chances of any fans being allowed to get in seems minimal.
Eddie Hearn had hoped for a crowd of around 4,700 would be permitted to watch the fight at the 20,000-capacity venue.
If no crowd is allowed, the venue could change to the SSE Arena, at Wembley, where Matchroom stage the second show of their residency behind-closed-doors on Saturday, when Katie Taylor faces Miriam Gutierrez. Two more shows are planned at Wembley on November 21 and December 4.
“We haven’t given up on the O2, but if we can’t get any fans in, [then] the set-up is already in place at Wembley,” Hearn said. “We had hoped to get 3-4,000 at the O2 and the fight is one we have put forward to the Government to say ‘what an event to start letting fans back’. But I can’t see it being top of their agenda right now.
“But we would only now be talking about 1,000 fans. Right now I would take 400.”
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Re: Anthony Joshua vs. Kubrat Pulev - 12 December 2020
Hughie Fury and Martin Bakole have been added to this card, but in seperate fights.
Why not just have them fight each other.
Why not just have them fight each other.