Joshua Could Lose IBF Belt Prior To Klitschko II, Pulev Stands Firm

[Ruthless-RKO]

Anthony Joshua (19-0, 19 KOs) could very well lose his IBF world title before a rematch with Wladimir Klitschko in the fall.

The IBF's annual convention is taking place this week. Joshua's promoter, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sport, has applied for a special exemption for Joshua to be allowed to fight Klitschko - and the winner would have to face Pulev.

But, Pulev's people have objected to Joshua's special exemption request - and now it's up to the IBF to make a ruling on the matter - unless all three sides are able to reach an agreement on the matter.

The WBA has already given their blessing to the Joshua vs. Klitschko rematch. The WBA mandatory challenger is hard punching Cuban fighter Luis Ortiz, who also wants to get his hands on Joshua.

“It is the IBF convention this week and we have put in a special exemption request to fight Klitschko next as we will with the WBA but that is a little bit more clear. We will be allowed a special acceptation request with the WBA but whether we will be allowed one with the IBF, who knows. We want to fight Klitschko next and the noise from the their camp is that is going to happen, and it will be discussed over the next few weeks," Hearn told The Express.

“If Anthony doesn’t fight Klitschko he will fight Pulev who isn’t going to go away. Pulev's people have objected to the special exemption request.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

I thought Hearn said he and Kalle were close?

[northern]

Pulev can stand firm and he has every right to do so, the sport at the world level is a business and the world bodies have to have a champion who is going to best represent them and their title.

Saying that Pulev has every right to demand to be the next man to fight Joshua as does Ortiz. But both world bodies have to consider the long term benefits of the fights, yes they look better for staying to their word and representing their organisations rankings by demanding he fight them next but they have to consider the long term benefits of being represented by Joshua.

A former Olympian who looks and acts every bit the world champion ideal, is undefeated, just beat one of the longest reigning champions in recent history, is close to becoming the first unified heavyweight champion in years and can sell out stadiums on his own more or less now.
Being associated with Joshua is good for business and the WBA see that, no doubt the IBF will do as well and let him fight Wladimir first then Pulev is waiting in the wings and Ortiz they (the WBA) will likely let him fight for their 'regular' world title before demanding a unification match now that the fight involving Briggs is out of the question.

[Mexi-Box]

Yeah, I was seeing this happening with the talks of a rematch. Pulev has been waiting his turn for a while now.

[Lennox]

Pulev's right to fight for the IBF title next is fair.

It unfortunately highlights how hard it is to hold multiple belts when you fight every 6 months or more.

[mullenman]

Aj till he loses is now bigger than belts so who cares if he loses that siht ibf belt

[Nightmare Roy]

If Klit wants the rematch it has to happen next , if Pulev won't step aside I'd imagine that AJ would vacate the belt and then Pulev will have to fight some random for chump change, it would be in his interests to sit it out and face Joshua later for serious money.

[Horse]

The IBF love to strip their most credible champions.

Let them take it. He doesn't need their stinking belt.

[forcefraser]

Joshua could fight Pulev in a couple of months and knock him flat within 3 rounds easy. squeeze the bugger in and keep the belt.

[Kalan]

Yeah, I was seeing this happening with the talks of a rematch. Pulev has been waiting his turn for a while now.

Pulev got his Title Shot vs Klitschko... His performance was a Z minus... Since then he's done nothing to show he's a contender... He's big, fat, old, and slow

[davie]

The IBF love to strip their most credible champions.

Let them take it. He doesn't need their stinking belt.

What if they let him keep it?

Fury would be within his rights to be fvcking angry about it!

[Mexi-Box]

Yeah, I was seeing this happening with the talks of a rematch. Pulev has been waiting his turn for a while now.

Pulev got his Title Shot vs Klitschko... His performance was a Z minus... Since then he's done nothing to show he's a contender... He's big, fat, old, and slow

What do you mean he's shown nothing? He has a better resume than most guys in the top 10. He also beat Chisora handily who goes on and arguably beat Whyte.

[Tony1244]

This is ridiculous. Joshua could beat Pulev in his sleep.

Here's a real radical solution: why not fight Pulev and fight Wlad within 120 days? That's the way they used to do things.

[Tony1244]

Joshua could fight Pulev in a couple of months and knock him flat within 3 rounds easy. squeeze the bugger in and keep the belt.

I agree. Fight Pulev first. If Joshua is worried about Pulev, AJ has no right to call himself champion. Pulled is an easy joke of a payday.

[Horse]

Joshua could fight Pulev in a couple of months and knock him flat within 3 rounds easy. squeeze the bugger in and keep the belt.

Or Pulev could knock Joshua out and spoil all of his plans.

[Tanzio]

I would be impressed if AJ just took the Pulev fight. That would be throwback, it would be a money maker, and AJ's popularity would continue to build (if he won).

Pulev is a quality fighter but AJ would stop him, imo. Who would skip it?

AJ could then take Wlad on in the rematch and line up Wilder, Ortiz, Parker, etc. If The Traveling Coke Troll manages to pull his head out, he could get some too.

If one of them defeat him he would have plenty of others to go after to redeem himself.

Are you The Man AJ? Start treating the division like dominoes.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

If wlad activated his rematch clause Joshua wouldn't have the option of fighting pulev.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Yeah, I was seeing this happening with the talks of a rematch. Pulev has been waiting his turn for a while now.

Pulev got his Title Shot vs Klitschko... His performance was a Z minus... Since then he's done nothing to show he's a contender... He's big, fat, old, and slow

Not true, he has a decent resume compared to other HW's Chisora was a good win. I supposed Samuel Peter and Kevin Johnson are just add on names to beef it up lol

[Tanzio]

If wlad activated his rematch clause Joshua wouldn't have the option of fighting pulev.

Thanks for pointing that out. In that case the decision is made for him. Hopefully, Wlad activates it and the IBF forces a decent fight for Pulev. If that happens it is an ok scenario. Pulev v Ortiz or Parker or Wilder or Takam would work.

Probably would not happen but it would work.

[Ruthless-RKO]

If wlad activated his rematch clause Joshua wouldn't have the option of fighting pulev.

Thanks for pointing that out. In that case the decision is made for him. Hopefully, Wlad activates it and the IBF forces a decent fight for Pulev. If that happens it is an ok scenario. Pulev v Ortiz or Parker or Wilder or Takam would work.

Probably would not happen but it would work.

I believe Takam is next in line..