Anthony Joshua will NOT fight Kubrat Pulev in UK because of ‘big problem’ – Bob Arum

Anthony Joshua’s potential summer clash with Kubrat Pulev in London has been put in doubt after the Bulgarian’s promoter Bob Arum said there was a “big problem” with the venue, thought to be Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium was also thought to be in the running.

Pulev is Joshua’s IBF mandatory challenger and has been widely-expected to face AJ on June 20 in north London.

Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed earlier this week that the fight was pretty much a done deal, with just paperwork to be completed.

There’s also been talk, however, that Pulev would step aside so Joshua can face new WBC world champion Tyson Fury.

But Pulev’s promoter Arum says talks for a Fury fight are way off, because Joshua is scheduled to fight Pulev, and that fight is not done yet.

“Anyone talking about an Anthony Joshua fight with Tyson Fury is very premature,” Arum told World Boxing News.

“Joshua has to fight Pulev and we have a big problem with the site.

READ MORE

• Tommy Fury takes swipe at Anthony Joshua after Tyson win

“For Pulev and Joshua, the British Board are not being very co-operative.

“Pulev is now going to go to purse bid because he doesn’t want to fight in the United Kingdom.”

Arum then stated that Pulev doesn’t believe he will get a fair decision with judges or the referee in the UK.

“We are just not going to do the fight in the UK,” Arum went on to explain.

READ MORE

• Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury: Eddie Hearn confirms talks for mega-bout

“Because we don’t get a level playing field.”

Pulev came within days of fighting Joshua back in 2017 before he had to pull out of the fight with a shoulder injury.

Joshua ended up fighting Carlos Takam, who was stopped in the 10th round of their Cardiff clash.

Eddie Hearn said of the clash earlier this month that Joshua would knock Pulev out and that there was pressure on AJ to do so.

“Joshua will look to make a statement,” he said.

“He had to box that way against Ruiz Jr because there was no room for error but now people are saying: ‘Show us the knockouts again’. The pressure is on AJ to produce a knockout. Two big men will trade shots.”

Source: Read Full Article