Joshua vs Pulev.

[stujones]

I'm quite surprised this hasn't quite had the attention as a "proper" fight it deserves. We all know the Joshua in the pre covid days could fill Wembley fighting humpty dumpty - and the IFL, Sky Sports, 5 Live Boxing lot would be talking about it for weeks and weeks and weeks and the Joshua PR machine would be in full flow.

But - for me, Pulev is the best fighter (possibly Klitchsko aside) he has faced. There might be a case for Parker, but I think Pulev's record is better. Unlike Povetkin vs Hunter - he's not seemingly fighting like an 39 year old and he is much fresher. Power might be an issue.

Not saying I am tipping Pulev, but I am not saying its beyond the realms of impossibility - perhaps MSG last year is still too much in my mind.

Certainly I am more comfident of Fury beating Wilder in the third fight than I am of this outcome. Just wondering people's thought - I think it is a real dangerous Banana skin, just like we saw at the weekend.

[ThereByTheGrace]

Yep i agree. I think pulev has a good chance

[Coco]

I wonder what tactics AJ will use.

Saying that Pulev too, he has always been quite measured but was totally kamakaze in his loss to Klit

[Lightsoot]

Pulev is pants. How does he win? Unless Joshua is totally gun shy post Ruiz.

[Flump]

Pulev is a limited plodder in truth, and pushing 40. This is a hard sell.

[stujones]

Yes, but Klitschko aside haven't all his fights been "hard sells ". Wasnt Takam also just a limited plodder....wasnt Parker just an average bulked up Cruiser, oh yes Ruiz had fast hands but let's be honest most cringed when that was announced.

Pulevs common results with some of AJs "better " opponents are favourable... eg. Chisora and Fury....better than Whyte, Takam and Parker

[JC]

One thing I would say about this fight, of all the active HWs, Pulev may be the best prep for fighting Fury. He's awkward, doesn't rely on power, not a giant in terms of height but naturally around 250lbs.

[Onamastus]

Pulev's old and slow and was hapless versus Klitschko. His confidence seems low and tellingly he pushed his title challenge harder when Ruiz was briefly champ.

Going over inside three rounds or less I reckon.

[Boxerbeetle]

Yes, but Klitschko aside haven't all his fights been "hard sells ". Wasnt Takam also just a limited plodder....wasnt Parker just an average bulked up Cruiser, oh yes Ruiz had fast hands but let's be honest most cringed when that was announced.

Pulevs common results with some of AJs "better " opponents are favourable... eg. Chisora and Fury....better than Whyte, Takam and Parker

That’s the trouble, the HW division is sh!t. Unless he’s fighting Fury or Wilder, all other matches are going to be underwhelming, because the competition is underwhelming. Hopefully Usyk can shake things up a bit, but am reserving judgement for now.

[stujones]

That's True and being honest not sure I'd even have Wilder on that list or at least a bit lower down....into the "punchers chance" bracket and there are others on that list either.

I just think also given his last TWO performances this is one of the more difficult "opponents" for AJ. I was left far from convinced in December. For me all that showed is that he is quite robotic....boxed to instructions but couldn't adapt. Ruiz was so painfully slow, a boxer with a higher boxing IQ would have sensed that and perhaps pressed it a bit more. I think it could be interesting if Pulev can find a way past AJ plan A....will AJ be able to execute plan B on the night.

[cormack]

Pulev will have a go just like Povetkin did vs AJ , but perhaps this will just tire him out sooner and leave more target area for the big power shots .

Anything other than Pulev laid out will be a disaster

[THEBUTCH]

I don't mind this one. As IBF mandatories go, we've seen worse. IMO Potevetkin is better and more dangerous than Pulev, but Kubrat is full of self-belief and has good basic skills.

What I like about AJ is his willingness to clean out the division. He's not an erratic, big mouth who has promised the fans the universe but goes missing.

[mickey1975]

I don't mind this one. As IBF mandatories go, we've seen worse. IMO Potevetkin is better and more dangerous than Pulev, but Kubrat is full of self-belief and has good basic skills.

What I like about AJ is his willingness to clean out the division. He's not an erratic, big mouth who has promised the fans the universe but goes missing.

They don’t want Fury.

[THEBUTCH]

Not so sure. AJ does his mandatories and Usyk could be next, then we'll see what occurs. Fury changes his tune from one day to the next.

Fury also pulled out of an IBF eliminator against Pulev (years ago).

[mickey1975]

Not so sure. AJ does his mandatories and Usyk could be next, then we'll see what occurs. Fury changes his tune from one day to the next.

Fury also pulled out of an IBF eliminator against Pulev (years ago).

AJ was only ringside to build a Whyte fight. Usyk is Matchroom.....
Eddie isn’t in control with MTK, Arum and FW.

[Flump]

Yes, but Klitschko aside haven't all his fights been "hard sells ". Wasnt Takam also just a limited plodder....wasnt Parker just an average bulked up Cruiser, oh yes Ruiz had fast hands but let's be honest most cringed when that was announced.

Pulevs common results with some of AJs "better " opponents are favourable... eg. Chisora and Fury....better than Whyte, Takam and Parker

Of the three you mentioned, two were late subs and the other was an unbeaten beltholder who was at least expected to have a go.

Pulev is an upright, mechanical, slow moving target with little evidence of power. He is also middle aged. He holds dull points wins over a couple of fringe contenders granted, but he is made for an early highlight reel KO, anything less can be considered disappointing.

[stujones]

Yes, but Klitschko aside haven't all his fights been "hard sells ". Wasnt Takam also just a limited plodder....wasnt Parker just an average bulked up Cruiser, oh yes Ruiz had fast hands but let's be honest most cringed when that was announced.

Pulevs common results with some of AJs "better " opponents are favourable... eg. Chisora and Fury....better than Whyte, Takam and Parker

Of the three you mentioned, two were late subs and the other was an unbeaten beltholder who was at least expected to have a go.

Pulev is an upright, mechanical, slow moving target with little evidence of power. He is also middle aged. He holds dull points wins over a couple of fringe contenders granted, but he is made for an early highlight reel KO, anything less can be considered disappointing.

Yes, but late subs or not, I really didn't want to go down the Martin, Molina and Breazeles of this world. Those late subs are among his best opponents.

In an independent world rankings - where would you place Pulev? I think there is a case of having him ranging from 4 to 7. So not many above him - personally I think there is a good case of him beating all the non champions. Think he beats Povetkin, Hunter and Parker and the likes of Wilder, Ortiz and now Whyte could very well be shell shocked. I hope Usyk will be the next big thing, but unproven at the moment.

Again not saying Pulev is an all timer, its more a state of the play with the division - but Pulev for me is among the better challengers out there and, for me, is among Johua's very best opponents.

[a93]

I’d have Pulev in that bracket from 6-10. It’s a decent fight as far as mandatories go.

[Flump]

I would have him circa 9/10. Of the fighters you mention, I'd favour him over the current version of Ortiz and that's about it. And even then that's no formality.

You rate him far more highly than I do stu, he has just never passed the eye test for me. I sure as hell won't be shelling out on a PPV to watch him.