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Joe Joyce's team have started talks with Kubrat Pulev, says the Bulgarian heavyweight's promoter Ivaylo Gotzev

"Yes, absolutely. They are reaching out. They are talking to us, but when they get serious, they know who to call," Kubrat Pulev's promoter Ivaylo Gotzev confirms that contact has been made about Joe Joyce fight

Joe Joyce's team have expressed interest in a fight against former world title challenger Kubrat Pulev, says the Bulgarian heavyweight's promoter Ivaylo Gotzev.

The British contender is within touching distance of a world title fight after a stoppage victory over Carlos Takam in July.

But Joyce is assessing his future options, which could include a clash with Pulev, who was stopped by Anthony Joshua while challenging for the WBA, IBF and WBO belts last December.

"He's definitely looking forward to some good clashes this coming year, 2022," Pulev's promoter Gotzev told Sky Sports.

"We've been getting a lot of offers. Joe Joyce is looking for us.

"Kubrat is definitely not a stepping stone for no-one, so we're going to pick and choose our battles, and get him back to where he feels great.

"It's all about how he wants to enter the ring and how long he wants to keep going for."

Pulev, who has only lost to Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko in 30 fights, makes an unlikely return this weekend in a Triad Combat Rules bout against former UFC champion Frank Mir.

If he emerges victorious, then negotiations could be resumed about another fight in Britain.

Asked if he has been contacted by Joyce's team, Gotzev told Sky Sports: "Yes, absolutely. They are reaching out. They are talking to us, but when they get serious, they know who to call.

"I want to hear from (Joyce's promoter) Frank himself."

Joyce has also been linked with a fight against Tyson Fury, who is awaiting confirmation of his next opponent, with the WBC yet to announce an expected mandatory defence versus Dillian Whyte.

"Joyce will fight anyone," Joyce's management SJAM told Sky Sports. "He's never turned down a fight and now he's ready for the real elite of heavyweight boxing.

"He's No 1 with the WBO and No 2 with the WBC and he wants to win belts. I'm speaking to his promoters (headed by Frank W) regularly and they know what our objectives are.

"A fight with a boxer of Fury's quality is something he would relish.

"Joe's durability and engine are a match for anyone in the sport."

Thar's a good match up - for me a step up from Takam

I thought Pulev was fighting Frank Mir?

joyce would pound him but its a good name and can say its a step up for him - smart matchmaking

This is where contenders in a holding pattern for a title go wrong. They stay busy with opponents that give them no preparation for a champion.
Joyce should be facing other contenders, not has beens.
If you face all the upcoming guys while you wait for your shot they have to choose you. This mistake was made by Whyte while he was waiting for Wilder. He should have fought Breazeale and Ortiz leaving no one Wilder could sidestep him for. Of course no one would have guessed Stiverne #2 how could you?

JamesPhilips wrote: ↑24 Nov 2021, 12:54 I thought Pulev was fighting Frank Mir?

Hardly that will put Pulev out of picture for long. He could have fought Mir in a locker room as a warm-up before the Joyce bout.

KiwiRider wrote: ↑24 Nov 2021, 13:05 This is where contenders in a holding pattern for a title go wrong. They stay busy with opponents that give them no preparation for a champion.
Joyce should be facing other contenders, not has beens.
If you face all the upcoming guys while you wait for your shot they have to choose you. This mistake was made by Whyte while he was waiting for Wilder. He should have fought Breazeale and Ortiz leaving no one Wilder could sidestep him for. Of course no one would have guessed Stiverne #2 how could you?

To be honest, whilst I can see what you are saying - at the same time though I am struggling to think of an example of who?

Tony Yoka? Possibly, but he is scheduled to fight in January.

Who else is a contender but not a has been - even if they are not available - Ortiz? (surely a has been by now), Andy Ruiz? Possibly but lets not forget the shape he was in 2 fights ago - that's no preparation, the only other one near the top 20 - is DDD - most of the rest are over 30, been reycycled in world title fights. Off course there are the likes of Gassiev and Hunter who might fit the bill but these are only good prep for Usyk..... Wallin? Hughie Fury?

I completely agree with your point but reality is, this division is so poor Pulev is probably still in the top6 in the world.

DrDuke wrote: ↑24 Nov 2021, 13:11

JamesPhilips wrote: ↑24 Nov 2021, 12:54 I thought Pulev was fighting Frank Mir?

Hardly that will put Pulev out of picture for long. He could have fought Mir in a locker room as a warm-up before the Joyce bout.

He's fighting Mir this weekend, surely he will be ready by let's say Feb next year.

stujones wrote: ↑24 Nov 2021, 13:18

KiwiRider wrote: ↑24 Nov 2021, 13:05 This is where contenders in a holding pattern for a title go wrong. They stay busy with opponents that give them no preparation for a champion.
Joyce should be facing other contenders, not has beens.
If you face all the upcoming guys while you wait for your shot they have to choose you. This mistake was made by Whyte while he was waiting for Wilder. He should have fought Breazeale and Ortiz leaving no one Wilder could sidestep him for. Of course no one would have guessed Stiverne #2 how could you?

To be honest, whilst I can see what you are saying - at the same time though I am struggling to think of an example of who?

Tony Yoka? Possibly, but he is scheduled to fight in January.

Who else is a contender but not a has been - even if they are not available - Ortiz? (surely a has been by now), Andy Ruiz? Possibly but lets not forget the shape he was in 2 fights ago - that's no preparation, the only other one near the top 20 - is DDD - most of the rest are over 30, been reycycled in world title fights. Off course there are the likes of Gassiev and Hunter who might fit the bill but these are only good prep for Usyk..... Wallin? Hughie Fury?

I completely agree with your point but reality is, this division is so poor Pulev is probably still in the top6 in the world.

Oh your right, add Parker to the list of busy as well. Frank Sanchez needs knocking down, but I'm not sure Joyce is the guy unfortunately.
Because of the long waiting at HW for a title, managers should be booking in fights/fighters a long way out as a career progression path.
Joyce has to make it clear to champions and fans, that he is the first choice of opponents. No promoter wants a champion to fight a contenders left overs. Put yourself at the top of the heap and make no doubt that there is no other options.

To be honest - given that he has lost his world title and lost to Whyte and nearly lost to Chisroa - not sure if Parker should be categorised into the "has been" column or not - no disrespect. I'm not sure who I would tip between Parker and Pulev - common opponents albeit a few years ago, Pulev did a better job. Parker did arguably a better job vs Joshua but was still pretty poor.

The Heavyweight division is just piss poor. The fact that a guy who has won 2 out of 18 rounds and has been floored something like 5 times in those 18 rounds is being lauded as the #3 in the division says it all.

Pulev is an old man. at this point joe would bully the fornicate out of him. Dont hate the fight for joe though, Its a name, He can likely do it quicker than AJ did, and he needs to stay busy.

Pulev is hittable enough to be overwhelmed by Joyce. He can look good with his jab for several rounds, but eventually Joyce will get to him and batter him.

Would be a good fight for Joe, another step up and needs activity.

stujones wrote: ↑24 Nov 2021, 14:43 To be honest - given that he has lost his world title and lost to Whyte and nearly lost to Chisroa - not sure if Parker should be categorised into the "has been" column or not - no disrespect. I'm not sure who I would tip between Parker and Pulev - common opponents albeit a few years ago, Pulev did a better job. Parker did arguably a better job vs Joshua but was still pretty poor.

The Heavyweight division is just piss poor. The fact that a guy who has won 2 out of 18 rounds and has been floored something like 5 times in those 18 rounds is being lauded as the #3 in the division says it all.

Parker has ditched Kevin 'the leach' Barry, and for the last 4 months has ensconced himself in the Fury/Kronk team.
We will have to wait and see what changes that has made. But Kevin 'milk em dry' Barry has never trained at championship level apart from Parker beating the #6 Ruiz for a vacant belt. Parker and David Tua both fell short against champions under Kevin 'the wallet snatcher' Barry's coaching.
So Del Boy is the perfect measuring stick for Parker's next performance and we can judge it against the first fight.

Kiwi ‘subtle about his thoughts on Kevin Barry’ Rider.

peter barlow wrote: ↑24 Nov 2021, 19:03 Would be a good fight for Joe, another step up and needs activity.

agree, if he's not getting his big fight next then pulevs a really good one for him

jameswilson wrote: ↑24 Nov 2021, 19:42 Kiwi ‘subtle about his thoughts on Kevin Barry’ Rider.

David "Kevin drained my balls to raisons" Tua will tell you all about it.
You could tell Kevin "Evander's silver medal" Barry was rotten to the core when he came back to New Zealand spouting how he beat Evander Holyfield for ever. He mentioned it more than Froch and his KO of Groves at Wembley

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑24 Nov 2021, 20:32

peter barlow wrote: ↑24 Nov 2021, 19:03 Would be a good fight for Joe, another step up and needs activity.

agree, if he's not getting his big fight next then pulevs a really good one for him

If it's such a good fight for Joe, why has no one given Pulev a chance on our poll?

someone has, and part of why it's a good fight is because its a respectable name with some ability, who can jab well and test him for a while, but should eventually get stopped. thats the type of opponent for a guy lined up for a bigger shot. not some bum, not some guy known to flop over, not some unknown, and someone who should test him - but someone he should still beat

being realistic, eg no aj or usyk, who would you like for joe joe that are clearly better than poo lev?

Good fight. It would still be Joyce's best opponent to date and is much more technical than anyone he's faced in the pros. Pulev can jab well and make a fight ugly aswell. I doubt it would be a crowd pleaser.

Should this happen, I think this would likely be Pulev's last major fight unless he becomes a named opponent for the up and comers.

think joyce ko wants to hurrie it up tho

I think Joyce-Dubois was a great matchup, and Joyce-Takam was a respectable step up.

Pulev looked absolutely dreadful against Joshua. He doesn't offer anything other than a name.

I expect a mid to late rounds stoppage by Joyce in a fight where he gets hit too much and doesn't look especially impressive. I guess it's a step up, but nothing I'm interested in, and I'm the sort of person that will buy a ticket to see Joyce fight live. If I'm not bothered, then there will be plenty of empty seats.