Anthony Joshua vs Kubrat Pulev- Preview

Anthony Joshua returns to the ring for the first time in 12 months to defend his World Titles against mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev.

 Joshua’s last performance was an impressive victory against Andy Ruiz in Saudi Arabia which saw him outbox in a unanimous victory to regain his titles. 

The unified Heavyweight Champion now faces a stern test as he puts his IBF, WBA and WBO world titles on the line against the dangerous Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev.

But the 31-year-old Brit is fully aware of threat that Pulev carries and is fully focused on the experienced Bulgarian despite the possibility of an undisputed fight with WBC Champion Tyson Fury. 

"When people ask questions about Fury, in the back of my head I'm thinking my focus is Pulev," Said Joshua.

"What I've learned is I'm not going to bother entertaining it anymore.

"It'll be good for them. My focus is Pulev… No disrespect to any fans coming in, I have a serious job I need to complete and I will enjoy the victory after." Said the two-time World Champion.

The 2012 Olympic Gold Medallist is well aware of Pulev’s grit and determination but believes that his own reasoning will be key for this fight. "Every heavyweight can bang, is strong and has some skill,

 "What separates us is character. What's he fighting for? His father, who passed away. Also the chance to become Bulgaria's first heavyweight champion. 

"When you put someone in an opportunity to change their life they are going to perform.

"I fight for many reasons myself. Sometimes to prove people wrong. I fight for reasons like knowing this legacy doesn't last forever, so while I'm doing it I'm going to do it the best I can.” Joshua told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"If Pulev wants to get in the way of me proving how great I can be then I'm looking forward to the challenge.

"When I'm looking at Pulev I'm thinking 'that boy can't beat me'."

But there is a suspicion in Pulev’s camp that the Champion is vulnerable and there to be beaten. The Bulgarian’s Hall of Fame Promoter, Bob Arum believes that the 39-year-old is in prime position to win his first World Championship on the second time of asking.

"I really feel Joshua is vulnerable," Said Arum, who believes that his fighter can finish the fight.

Pulev, is a tough, rugged fighter who has been fighting at World level for the majority of his career. A career which saw him take on Wladimir Klitschko in a World Title fight, which he lost and other notable fight against Derek Chisora and Hughie Fury. 

The Bulgarian believes that Joshua is beatable. "We see a lot of mistakes from Anthony,

"I think these mistakes, and the bad sides, stay. The most important thing is how I perform on Saturday night. When I am good, I beat him well. Right now I feel very good, strong and powerful.” Said the challenger.

Pulev sees Joshua as the key to the Heavyweight division, a win here would not only make him the first Bulgarian Heavyweight Champion, but it would also open the door to unification fight with Tyson Fury. "I think after this fight I'm going to fight with Tyson Fury. I don't believe that the Joshua vs Fury fight is going to happen because I will win on Saturday night. I think the world needs a new world champion like me. I am the new world champion."

This is an intriguing fight between two well matched fighters. Both have a strong boxing IQ and a decorated amateur career, with both only possessing one loss on their records. The difference between the two may come down to age, how much does Pulev have left in the tank after a long career and does he still have the power to finish top class operators such as Joshua and Fury?

Pulev will have to pressure Joshua early and try to bring back to demons of the first fight between Joshua and Ruiz. But if Joshua is able to negate Pulev’s power and box like he did in the second Andy Ruiz fight could be his best route to retaining his titles. 

The Rest of the Card

Lawrence Okolie vs Nikodem Jezewski

The chief support of this card was supposed to be Okolie’s first attempt at a World Title as he was scheduled to fight Krzysztof Glowacki for the vacant WBO Cruiserweight World Title. But the 34-year-old Pole was pulled from the card due to a positive COVID test.

Okolie will now face Poland’s Jezewski in a Cruiserweight bout with no title on the line.

Okolie will look to show his progression as a fighter under the tutelage of Shane McGuigan and prove that he belongs at World Championship level.

"I've worked to get into the position so I need to cement it and show I'm going for a world title next and this is why,” the British Olympian told BBC Sport. 

"I feel there is pressure but nothing I'm not used to or can't handle," Okolie continued.

Okolie who is undefeated in 14 bouts will look to continue his perfect record and continue on course for a dream World Title shot in 2021. 

"I set myself the goal to become world champion before the next Olympics. Vision, hoping and dreaming is different to reality. If someone said I'd be in a world title shot if I won on Saturday I'd be over the moon with it."

However, Okolie’s opponent is also an undefeated in 21 fights and insists that he has nothing to lose in this short notice fight. "This is a chance for me and I'll do everything I can. Glowacki had 12 weeks preparing for Okolie, I had five days. I will give everything I have got." Said Jezewski.

Hughie Fury vs Mariusz Wach 

Hughie Fury believes that this fight against Wach will be an opportunity for him to show his class and show that he belongs at World level.

“He’s a tough man Mariusz Wach… He’s been in with some great fighters, pretty much everyone, including a World Title challenge. I’m looking forward to doing a job on him. This is definitely one not to miss. It’s been a while and I’m ready to show what I’m all about.” Said Fury.

 “I’m ready for all the serious fights out there, I’ve had vast experience and I belong on the world level. I expect to be knocking on the door for another shot at world honours again very soon. I’ve been living in the gym, working on a lot of different aspects of my game, perfecting what I needed to do.” The 26-year-old concluded. 

Fury only has two loses on his record both coming against top-level fighters. He narrowly lost a contested decision to Joseph Parker for the WBO World Title fight. With his second loss coming against Pulev in another 12-round decision.

This is an important fight for the 26-year-old because another loss would be a crucial hit to his World Title aspirations.