Anthony Joshua & Kubrat Pulev Talk Up Their Upcoming Bout
Following a series of ups and downs and twists and turns, unified heavyweight champion Anthony “AJ” Joshua (23-1, 21 KO’s) is all set to face his IBF mandatory challenger Kubrat “The Cobra” Pulev (28-1, 14 KO’s). The two will lock horns on June 20 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium located in Tottenham, London.
The prizefight will be promoted by Matchroom Boxing, in association with Top Rank and Epic Sports Entertainment, and will air live on Sky Sports Box Office.
A SECOND, SECOND CHANCE
The June 20 bout will mark the second time that Pulev has had a shot at a heavyweight world title, as well as his second attempt to face Joshua. In 2014, the Cobra lost his first attempt at a world title when he was defeated by Wladimir “Dr. Steelhammer” Klitschko (64-5, 53 KO’s). When they fought, Dr. Steelhammer was able to dispatch Pulev by way of fifth round stoppage.
Now, eight fights later, Kubrat has worked himself back up the rankings and is aching to become a heavyweight world champion against Anthony Joshua. The Cobra had previously penned a contract to fight Joshua back in 2017, but was forced to pull out after suffering an arm injury in preparation for the prizefight.
“I am happy to have the opportunity to show the world how strong I really am. Becoming a heavyweight world champion has always been my mission in life and on June 20, 2020 I will fulfill my destiny!” ~Kubrat Pulev, heavyweight contender
READY TO DEFEND
Like Pulev, AJ now has a blemish on his record thanks to Andy “The Destroyer” Ruiz Jr (33-2, 22 KO’s), who stopped him and took his four belts on June 1, 2019. However, Joshua enacted his immediate rematch clause and was able to recapture his belts from Ruiz six months later.
The first bout with Ruiz took place in New York City, while the rematch took place in Saudi Arabia. In fact, this upcoming dust-up with Pulev will be the first time that Joshua has fought in the UK in almost two years.
“On June 20, I am defending my heavyweight world titles. I’m back in my home city after some time away. A spectacular stadium has been built in North London and I’m honored to bring the boxing community from all over the world to witness us make history with the stadium’s first heavyweight world title fight. The belts go back up in the air and nothing will stop me from being victorious.” ~Anthony Joshua, unified heavyweight champion
By: Bakari Simpson
