Anthony Joshua vs. Kubrat Pulev - December 12, 2020

[candyslim]

Pulev will amble forward, chin in the air, and get clocked. He has just about the worst style possible to take on AJ

I completely agree. If Pulev hears the bell to end round two I'll be pleasantly surprised. How so?

Watch his fight with Hughie Fury. He beat Fury no doubt, but at one point non-puncher Hughie had him looking shaken to his core. I reckon a good solid jab from AJ carries similar power.

The guys who give AJ trouble are short: Ruiz, Povetkin, Takam were all tricky for him. Klitschko is a special case but fighters of similar height like Martin, Breazeale, and Pulev are perfect for him.

Despite being nearly forty Pulev even comes second to Joshua in terms of experience: He has made a career out of fighting fringe-contenders and the one time he took on real quality he got battered. His best win is arguably Dereck Chisora and not the fighting fit and highly motivated Delboy who fought Usyk either. Despite sharing a top 10 ranking with Povetkin for a number of years they never fought and I'll wager it wasn't Povetkin steering a wide berth. Ortiz is just the same - ancient yet relatively inexperienced at top level. Who is his best ever win? … Bryant Jennings. Granted he looked awesome that day but another way to look at it is that Oscar Rivas and Joe Joyce have beaten Jennings. Sorry I digress.

Joshua can be caught and hurt but if Rydell Booker can go ten rounds with Pulev, somehow I don't see AJ being filled with trepidation.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Hughie Fury and Martin Bakole have been added to this card, but in seperate fights.

Why not just have them fight each other.

[DrDuke]

Hughie Fury and Martin Bakole have been added to this card, but in seperate fights.

Why not just have them fight each other.

Bakole-Kuzmin sounds good too. Kuzmin is more relevant than Wach.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Hearn Taking Precautions To Ensure Fight Goes Through

Eddie Hearn, promoter for IBF, IBO, WBA, WBO heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, is taking all of the necessary precautions to ensure that his fighter's mandatory defense goes through as scheduled.

Joshua will satisfy his mandatory obligation on December 12, when he faces Kubrat Pulev in the UK.

According to Hearn, the challenger will be arriving to the UK a lot earlier than usual to enter the required quarantine system.

"Kubrat Pulev will be making his way to London shortly, sooner than we think, and he will be entering the bubble weeks in advance. A lot of these top heavyweights and these guys who are earning considerable purses are being constantly tested on a daily basis," Hearn told Sky Sports.

"You look at Derek Chisora, I think he was getting tested every other day. We will bring Pulev here. Every international fighter has to be tested before they travel, and we will make sure he's in the bubble, in an enclosed environment, because you just can't risk it. Normally on fight week, you get a five or 10 percent chance that a fight could fall through. Here it's 50-50, for every fight.

"When you talk about a fight of that size, you have to take extra precautions and that will be making sure both guys are in a bubble, nice and early, and are locked away under strict surveillance to make sure that they're good to go for fight night."

If Pulev were to fall out for whatever reason, the next man in line, under the IBF, is the number two ranked Charles Martin - who Joshua knocked out in 2016 to capture his first world title.

And that's why Martin's manager, Mike Borao, doubts a rematch would happen.

"If the fight is cancelled for any reason, a number of scenarios could present. If Joshua is injured, I think it is very possible Martin and Pulev could fight for the vacant IBF title. In that case, IBF rule procedures would be followed. If Pulev is injured, although Charles is the next available contender, I doubt Joshua would opt for that bout, likely resulting in a vacated title as well," Borao said.

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Undercard Press Release

Souleymane Cissoko will take on Kieron Conway in a ten round Super-Welterweight clash on the undercard of Anthony Joshua's Unified Heavyweight World Title defence against Kubrat Pulev on Saturday December 12, shown live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and on DAZN in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide.

Frenchman Cissokho (11-0, 7 KOs) won bronze at the 2016 Rio Games at 69kg before joining the professional ranks in 2017 where he is now undefeated in eleven fights - with seven of those victories coming by way of knockout - and signed to Joshua's 258 MGT and Matchroom Boxing.

Northampton's Conway (15-1-1, 3 KOs) overcame a spirited start from Navid Mansouri to seal a wide points victory and claim the vacant WBA Intercontinental Super-Welterweight Title, the first belt of his professional career, last time out at Fight Camp.

"I'm very excited to get back in the ring as part of a huge card on December 12," said Cissokho. "It has been a difficult year for everyone and I am itching to fight. I cant wait to put on a show and showcase my skills in the UK for the first time. It’s a dream come true to be able to perform for the British public.

"Thank you to my team at 258 Management and Matchroom for working to get me this opportunity. Training camp has been tough but I am ready to go 100%."

"I'm looking forward to this fight massively," said Conway. "It's another big fight for me, another big challenge and another big win. Being on this show is huge. There’s going to be massive viewing figures and I’m excited to be part of the whole thing.

"I know Cissokho was a very good amateur, and I know he’s skilful but I’m looking forward to showcasing my own skills and showing more of what I’m about.

"He hasn't fought for a while, so it could be an advantage for me. Being out the ring for a year does nobody any favours but we will see on fight night, either way I’m looking to dominate. After this fight I’d expect more big fights and for people to not overlook me anymore."

Anthony Joshua (23-1, 21 KOs) defends his IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO World Titles against Mandatory Challenger Kubrat Pulev (28-1, 14 KOs) on a huge night of action that sees Lawrence Okolie (14-0, 11 KOs) take on Krzysztof Glowacki (31-2, 19 KOs) for the vacant WBO Cruiserweight World Title, Manchester Heavyweight Hughie Fury (24-3, 14 KOs) returns against Poland’s Mariusz Wach (36-6, 19 KOs) and Martin Bakole (15-1, 12 KOs) and Sergey Kuzmin (15-1, 11 KOs) fight for the vacant WBC International Heavyweight Title.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Joshua v.s Pulev: Crowd of 1,000 in Play For Heavyweight Clash

A crowd of 1,000 is set attend Anthony Joshua’s world heavyweight title defence against Kubrat Pulev on December 12.

The UK Government announced plans to allow spectators to return to sporting events on Monday when the present England lockdown ends on December 2.

While outdoor events will be allowed up to 4,000 spectators, indoor events will be allowed to admit 1,000 paying spectators.

Fans have not been allowed to attend boxing events since the first pandemic lockdown began in March.

Eddie Hearn's Matchroom team have drawn up several plans to allow fans to attend while remaining socially distanced.

The fight, for Joshua’s WBA, WBO, IBO and IBF titles was originally scheduled for June at the 60,000-capacity Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

It is presently due to be held at the O2 Arena, in London, which was booked when Hearn had hopes of admitting more than 4,000 fans.

However, it could be switched to the SSE Arena, Wembley, where Hearn has so far staged three shows of its planned four-night residency. Either venue would be able to allow crowds within the British Boxing Board of Control’s protocol, which would have a “red zone” at ringside where no fans would be allowed to go.

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1,000 FANS TO ATTEND JOSHUA VS PULEV

Matchroom Boxing are delighted to announce that 1,000 fans will be in attendance for Anthony Joshua OBE’s defence of his IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO Heavyweight World Titles against Mandatory Challenger Kubrat Pulev at The SSE Arena, Wembley on Saturday December 12, following approval for a crowd from local authorities.

Fight fans will have the opportunity to watch unified king Joshua fight on home soil for the first time in over two years, with tickets priced at £100, £200, £300, £500 and £1,000 (VIP) available to purchase via AXS (www.axs.com) and StubHub (www.Stubhub.co.uk) on Friday December 4 at 10.00am, as spectators are welcomed back to live boxing for the first time since March.

Strict safety measures and guidelines will be in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19:

• The lead booker can only attend with members of their own household (ID including address will be required on entry).

• Matchroom Boxing are participating in the NHS Test and Trace scheme. Lead booker details will be collected and shared for this in line with legal guidelines, and NHS Track & Trace check-in codes will be in place for fans to scan at entrances.

• You must not attend an event if you have tested positive for Covid-19, are required to self-isolate or have suffered from Covid-19 symptoms within 14 days of the event.

• You must wear a face covering at all times during your visit to The SSE Arena, Wembley (if you’re medically able to do so and aged 11+). They can be safely removed when you’re seated to eat or drink.

• Tickets must not be resold.

• No refund policy

Joshua (23-1, 21 KOs) vs. Pulev (28-1, 14 KOs) tops a huge night of action in London promoted by Matchroom Boxing in association with Top Rank and Epic Sports and Entertainment, with all of the action shown live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and on DAZN in the U.S. and more than 200 countries and territories on its just-launched Global platform, as Lawrence Okolie (14-0, 11 KOs) takes on Krzysztof Glowacki (31-2, 19 KOs) for the vacant WBO Cruiserweight World Title, Manchester Heavyweight Hughie Fury (24-3, 14 KOs) returns against Poland’s Mariusz Wach (36-6, 19 KOs), Martin Bakole (15-1, 12 KOs) and Sergey Kuzmin (15-1, 11 KOs) fight for the vacant WBC International Heavyweight Title, Souleymane Cissoko (11-0, 7 KOs) takes on Kieron Conway (15-1-1, 3 KOs) in a ten round Super-Welterweight clash, Ramla Ali (1-0) faces Vanesa Caballero (3-9-3) in her second professional fight and Leeds Super-Bantamweight Qais Ashfaq (8-1, 3 KOs) looks to return to winning ways against Ashley Lane (14-9-2, 1 KO).

“I can’t tell you how happy I am to see fans returning to our live boxing events,” said Eddie Hearn, Managing Director of Matchroom Sport. “Whilst the team have done an incredible job over the last 10 months we live and breathe through the energy and atmosphere that a live crowd generates.

“It’s so fitting that they can return for an AJ fight, when through the last few years he has broken all kinds of attendance records in the U.K. and beyond. This is such a positive move for boxing and all sport. Welcome back!”

John Drury, VP & General Manager of The SSE Arena, Wembley, said: “The SSE Arena, Wembley is delighted to have our customers back for its reopening event, and it does not get any better than the return of fans to see Anthony Joshua in action.

“The SSE Arena, Wembley will open its doors with best-in-class procedures from ASM Global’s VenueShield programme. VenueShield is a comprehensive, industry-leading programme deployed at more than 325 ASM Global facilities around the world, providing the highest levels of enhanced cleanliness and safety.

“As a response to the coronavirus pandemic, ASM Global has partnered with medical professionals, industry leaders, and public health officials to create a welcoming, secure environment while providing the most advanced hygienic safeguards for anyone visiting the building.

“We are following all government and local authority health guidelines in order to reopen, and look forward to bringing fans and events back in a Covid-secure way.”

The fight which was originally planned for The O2 arena, has been moved to The SSE Arena, Wembley due to promoter logistics.

[adislav123]

expect to see more of joshua running & airjabbing show a la ruiz 2, occasionally mixing in a 1-2 where he puts some power behind it, hitting pulev on his gloves. pulev doing the same going unnoticed but every single glancing shot by joshua hyped up by hysterical freak outs from abominable mothereffing smith.

both men will engage in a 'jab & hop backwards or smother up' contest circling around & away from each other with the ref serenading 'stop punching! stop punching!' the moment they hug up & an actual infight out of the clinch could happen.

it will be a quite even, cautious, boring affair, all close rounds, all given to josh.

the bulgarian will loose by a shut out no matter what actually transpires in the ring.

hopefully pulev recognises the all around set up by ref & judges to ensure for champ josh to keep his belts & the magnitude of this opportunity, puts it all on the line, comes forward behind a non alibi jab and lets his hands go and forces joshua to actually engage. i doubt it, even then.

may the better man win.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Joshua-Pulev referee named

Deon Dwarte, from Richwood, in Cape Town has been appointed as referee for England’s Anthony Joshua’s defense of his WBA/IBF/WBO and IBO heavyweight belts against Kubret Pulev of Bulgaria, at the Wembley Arena in Wembley, England on Saturday the 12th of December

The 51-year-old Dwarte will become only the second South African to step into the ring as a third man in a world heavyweight title fight, with Stan Christodoulou being the first when he was the referee for the WBA heavyweight title fight between Mike Weaver and James Tillis in Rosemont, Illinios, USA on October 3, 1981. Christodoulou has officiated in more than 242 world title fights.

Dwarte flew to London last Friday where he has had stay in a bubble for a week due to the Coronavirus.

Deon, a deputy director at the Western Cape department of community safety‚ was a useful amateur boxer in his day‚ fighting in the same military team as Gary Murray‚ who went on to win a marginal world title as a professional.

He earned provincial colors with Griqualand West and won light-flyweight silver at the 1988 SA Defence Force championships‚ when they were famously competitive and has possibly acted as a referee and judge in more than 1 100 fights since he first stepped in as a judge in 1998.

He has a strong claim to being the best boxing official in South Africa at present.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Fight week

[Jeff_lacy_ko]

Pulevs best chance is a bum rush go for broke

[margaret thatcher]

he did that vs wlad and at least made a good fight of it, he rocked wlad right away with a jab lol

[Jeff_lacy_ko]

I remember wlad throwing left hooks you could see coming from the rafters and pulev getting hit by al of them!

[margaret thatcher]

ya he basically was just bum rushing him and kept walking into shots, it was uncharacteristically entertaining for both of them

[Finkel]

DAZN japan are being non-descript on the schedule. They have the live broadcast starting at 3am, but the fight card likely starts at 4am. So I'm guessing the main event is scheduled for 07:30???
Now I just have to figure out how much of the undercard I want to get out of bed to watch.

Like most I reckon a Joshua KO is the obvious choice, but a bit of a difficult one to be confident about when the finish will come. I reckon Joshua's team will think there is a good chance of undisputed within 2021, so might take a safety first approach after the Ruiz banana skin.

Stoppage in the middle rounds, after guaging how much of a threat Pulev is posing early on.

[candyslim]

According to Arum, Pulev has got it in the bag. Senile old fart. (Arum that is in case anyone is wondering. Pulev has a way to go yet )

[Ruthless-RKO]

Joshua vs Pulev card

Anthony Joshua (23-1, 21 KOs) vs. Kubrat Pulev (28-1, 14 KOs), 12 rounds, heavyweight – for Joshua’s WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles

Lawrence Okolie (14-0, 11 KOs) vs. Nikodem Jezewski (19-0-1, 9 KOs), 12 rounds, cruiserweight – for vacant WBO cruiserweight title

Hughie Fury (24-3, 14 KOs) vs. Mariusz Wach (36-6, 19 KOs), 10 rounds, heavyweight

Martin Bakole (15-1, 12 KOs) vs. Sergey Kuzmin (15-1, 11 KOs) – 10 rounds, heavyweight – for vacant WBC International Heavyweight title

Kieron Conway (15-1-1, 3 KOs) vs. Macaulay McGowen (14-1-1, 3 KOs), 10 rounds super welterweight

Qais Ashfaq (8-1, 3 KOs) vs. Ashley Lane (14-9-2, 1 KO), 8 rounds, super bantamweight

Florian Marku (7-0, 5 KOs) vs. Alex Fearon (9-2), 8 rounds, welterweight

[IRONFIST]

£24.95 for that rubbish, a rip off. Pulev is shot but the sly blighter could still cause Joshua problems. Okolie fight and Wach fight snoozefests no doubt.

[The Gratest]

Pulevs best chance is a bum rush go for broke

He doesn't have the power to go for it that way, nor the punch resistance to leave himself open (as illustrated in the Wlad fight).
Ruiz jr might not exactly be a power puncher, but it was his short, sharp combos on the inside that did in Joshua the first fight. Pulev's more of a slowly-wear-you-down-behind-a-constant-jab stoppage kinda guy.
He has a decent jab and could mark up Joshua with it should it go past a few rounds. It's what's behind it that will be telling though, a hands high-and-wide defence that'll get penetrated by Joshua's power punches. Should be over in around 6 rounds.

[ValMar]

Joshua ko inside 3

I say 5-7 rounds.

I'd say 7-9.

I agree.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[bobcatbox]

I say 5-7 rounds.

I'd say 7-9.

I agree.

Pulev is not a total scrub. Solid amateur. Only loss is a KO by Wlad. Plus he’s big. Can’t see AJ blasting him out of there early. More than decent shot he goes the distance.

[Ruthless-RKO]

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