Anthony Joshua vs. Kubrat Pulev - December 12, 2020

[Enlightened-One]

Spot the difference?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Purses

AJ taking a massive pay cut.

No set purses for the fight aparently.

AJ expected to take home in the region of £10m.

Pulev expected to take around £3m.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

Tyson Fury, David Haye, Dillian Whyte and more give their opinions

Whyte told SkyBet: “You know what? It is a run-out for Joshua. He’s just had two hard fights back to back, emotionally more than physically. So smart business, the Pulev fight. Pulev is old now and he was never really great in his heyday. He [Joshua] is happy to take care of his mandatory duties. So it’s a keep-busy fight.” Joshua

Haye told Sky: “I definitely think it’s a good fight for AJ. Big, Eastern-European guy who stands up straight, very tall, very strong, only ever lost to Klitschko. And in that fight he had a good go against Klitschko. So he’s got the power to cause some issues for people. He’s a rough tough guy that AJ will need to be in his best form for. But, if he is, I think he wipes the floor with Pulev. I think he’s significantly better.” Joshua

Eubank Sr. told the Express: “There are a few important variables that are important in this fight. Firstly, the way each fighter internalises this pandemic is an issue on top of what the fighters already have to manage. So much already depends upon this fight; the COVID factor adds an extra dimension to what in isolation is always harrowing. All things being normal, AJ has the better boxing IQ as proven in his contest against Andy Ruiz Jr, in a rematch I couldn’t see him winning because I thought he would try to use his power. Instead, he used his boxing IQ and took the championship titles back in impressive boxing form. If all is normal then AJ is no doubt the favourite. But because nothing is normal in these peculiar times, I suspect Pulev might win this fight and if I were a betting man, which I’m not, that’s where my money would be.” Pulev

Parker told SecondsOut: “I know Pulev will come game, that’s a fight he’s wanted for a while. But Joshua, we’ve seen him come back from losing to Andy Ruiz and putting on a good display of boxing. I think he’ll just be too quick and too experienced.” Joshua

Arum told Gary Newbon Sports Show: “I’m involved with everybody, including Eddie [Hearn]. I said ‘don’t make plans so quick for a Fury-Joshua fight because I think Pulev is going to beat Joshua.’ Let me explain my theory. Joshua got knocked out by Andy Ruiz, who is not a puncher, never been a puncher, and I know that because thirty odd fights that Ruiz had, we promoted. He has quick hands, he’s not a bad heavyweight, but he’s not a puncher. He devastated Joshua and knocked him out. So I think Joshua is still vulnerable and Pulev is a real tough, rugged heavyweight.” Pulev KO

Fury told iFL TV: “It’s heavyweight boxing, especially someone as big as they are, either could win. If Andy Ruiz can knock Joshua out, then Pulev definitely can. Pulev’s a lot bigger guy and punches probably harder than Ruiz does.” Sitting on the fence

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

[joshj909]

Just looking at Pulev's recent wins. With the benefit of hindsight, which of Pulev's two mandatory World title shots do you think are most deserved when you take into account only his wins (rather than any other deserving contenders)?

Booker + Dinu + Hughie + Kingpin + Peter + Chisora + Harris + Arias
Vs
Perkovic + Abell + Thompson + Ustinov + Dimitrenko + Sprott + Walker + Pedyura + Rossy + All the cannon fodder which came before.

[DrDuke]

Just looking at Pulev's recent wins. With the benefit of hindsight, which of Pulev's two mandatory World title shots do you think are most deserved when you take into account only his wins (rather than any other deserving contenders)?

Booker + Dinu + Hughie + Kingpin + Peter + Chisora + Harris + Arias
Vs
Perkovic + Abell + Thompson + Ustinov + Dimitrenko + Sprott + Walker + Pedyura + Rossy + All the cannon fodder which came before.

The new one is definitely more deserved.

[joshj909]

The new one is definitely more deserved.

That's what I was thinking. His best victory is arguably Chisora and most of his previous wins which may have looked better at the time such as 27-0 Ustinov, 28-1 Dimitrenko and an old Thompson, have all not looked as good over time.

He has been much less active this time around though.

[Ruthless-RKO]

In 2 hours

[Enlightened-One]

Is this the worst promoted fight that we’ve seen from AJ’s handlers?

There’s hardly any coverage of it and I don’t know anyone that wants to pay to watch it.

This is definitely going to be the worst performing AJ PPV in recent memory.

[candyslim]

£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.

I agree. My 25 quid is staying firmly in my pocket. Sorry Eddie. The show wasn't worth the money to start out with, and the Glowacki pull out has hit the value hard.

That's nobody's fault but trying to justify the Pulev PPV by saying nobody expected the Ruiz shock, is weak. The price hike was for the rematch and fair enough, it wasn't that for the first fight. Covid has brought about new commercial realities but that applies every bit as much to the fans probably more so.

[joshj909]

£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.

I agree. My 25 quid is staying firmly in my pocket. Sorry Eddie. The show wasn't worth the money to start out with, and the Glowacki pull out has hit the value hard.

That's nobody's fault but trying to justify the Pulev PPV by saying nobody expected the Ruiz shock, is weak. The price hike was for the rematch and fair enough, it wasn't that for the first fight. Covid has brought about new commercial realities but that applies every bit as much to the fans probably more so.

They shouldn't have bumped up the price for the Ruiz rematch and then this one could be justified by the fact that there are no fans in attendance but I imagine Hearn/Sky are just seeing what they can get away with. I would usually watch this sort of fight in the pub with friends but this year it will be streamed. So no money in their pocket from me either.

[Ruthless-RKO]

1pm UK time

[Ruthless-RKO]

Weigh-In Report

Anthony Joshua (23-1, 21KOs), vs. Kubrat Pulev (28-1, 14KOs), —12 rds., heavyweight
Lawrence Okolie (14-1, 11KOs), 199.8 vs. Nikodem Jezewski (19-0-1, 9KOs), 199.7—10 rds., cruiserweight
Hughie Fury (24-3, 14KOs), 247.3 vs. Mariusz Wach (36-6, 19KOs), 274.35—10 rds., heavyweight
Martin Bakole (15-1, 12KOs), 251.4 vs. Sergey Kuzmin (15-1, 11KOs; 1ND), 258.45—10 rds., heavyweight
Kieron Conway (15-1-1, 3KOs), 160 vs. Macaulay McGowan (14-1-1, 3KOs) 158.45—10 rds., middleweight
Florian Marku (7-0, 5KOs), 146.95 vs. Jamie Stewart (2-0, 0KOs) 145.9—8 rds., welterweight
Qais Ashfa (8-1, 3KOs), 124.2 vs. Ashley Lane (14-9-2, 1KO), 122.4—8 rds, jr. featherweight

[Ruthless-RKO]

Clearly a set up

[Jeff_lacy_ko]

I expect a jabbing contest. Only interesting thing to me is if joshua presses for a knockout or plays it safe

Is this on dazn?

[DrDuke]

I expect a jabbing contest. Only interesting thing to me is if joshua presses for a knockout or plays it safe

I guess, it'll be a jabbing contest, but then Joshua will time something big.

[punchoutsb]

I guess it's quite a limb to go out on, but I think Pulev wins a clear but uneventful decision.

[Jeff_lacy_ko]

How do you see that going?

[punchoutsb]

How do you see that going?

Stiff AJ unable to get out of first gear against the smarter, more experienced Pulev. Maybe a shaky moment or two when AJ lands something of half note. An overall disappointing affair that Pulev takes much wider than the cards will show.

Edit to add: If you were talking to me

[Ruthless-RKO]

I expect a jabbing contest. Only interesting thing to me is if joshua presses for a knockout or plays it safe

Is this on dazn?

Yes. DAZN in the US.

[candyslim]

I expect a jabbing contest. Only interesting thing to me is if joshua presses for a knockout or plays it safe

I guess, it'll be a jabbing contest, but then Joshua will time something big.

Agreed. AJ might be cautious to start off with but he'll land the right hand in round two and it'll be all over. Pulev's punch resistance isn't what it was, and it never was anything to write home about.

If I'm wrong it'll be because Josh is still a bit gun-shy.

[candyslim]

£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.

I agree. My 25 quid is staying firmly in my pocket. Sorry Eddie. The show wasn't worth the money to start out with, and the Glowacki pull out has hit the value hard.

That's nobody's fault but trying to justify the Pulev PPV by saying nobody expected the Ruiz shock, is weak. The price hike was for the rematch and fair enough, it wasn't that for the first fight. Covid has brought about new commercial realities but that applies every bit as much to the fans probably more so.

They shouldn't have bumped up the price for the Ruiz rematch and then this one could be justified by the fact that there are no fans in attendance but I imagine Hearn/Sky are just seeing what they can get away with. I would usually watch this sort of fight in the pub with friends but this year it will be streamed. So no money in their pocket from me either.

The product became far more desirable when it was Joshua trying to overcome his nemesis, rather than the first fight when he was the unbeaten golden boy fighting a substitute little fat guy who wasn't given a great chance of winning (even by people like myself who knew him to be tough and capable with excellent hand-speed). it's not unreasonable Sky would feel they could hike the price.

I'm not expecting to get the unification for £20, nor even £25 most likely, but I'm not paying £25 to see AJ blast Pulev into retirement lockdown or no lockdown.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Live from SSE Arena in Wembley, London, UK.
Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing in association with Top Rank Present: Joshua vs. Pulev



Time: 5:10pm (UK time)
TV/Live stream: Facebook
Time: 6pm (UK time)
TV/Live stream: Sky Sports Box Office | Price: £24.95
Time: 1pm ET/ 10am PT.
TV/Live stream: DAZN | Price: $19.99/Month, $99.99/Year

Running Order

*Fight card subject to change.

Live on Facebook: 5:10pm

8 Round Super-Bantamweight Contest
Qais Ashfaq vs. Ashley Lane

Live on Sky Sports Box Office: 6pm

8 Round Welterweight Contest
Florian Marku vs. Jamie Stewart

Followed by

10 Round Super-Welterweight Contest
Kieron Conway vs. Macaulay McGowan

Followed by

WBC International Heavyweight Championship
Martin Bakole vs. Sergey Kuzmin

Followed by

10 Round Heavyweight Contest
Hughie Fury vs. Mariusz Wach

Followed by

WBO International Cruiserweight Championship
Lawrence Okolie vs. Nikodem Jezewsk

Followed by

Unified IBF, WBA, WBO & IBO World Heavyweight Championship
Anthony Joshua vs. Kubrat Pulev