A must-win fight for Anthony Joshua

When Anthony Joshua, who is based in Watford, England, defends his WBA, WBO, IBF, and IBO heavyweight belts against Kubrat Pulev from Sofia, Bulgaria, at the SSE Arena in Wembley on Saturday night, it is a must-win situation for him. He needs the win if he hopes to meet WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in […]

When Anthony Joshua, who is based in Watford, England, defends his WBA, WBO, IBF, and IBO heavyweight belts against Kubrat Pulev from Sofia, Bulgaria, at the SSE Arena in Wembley on Saturday night, it is a must-win situation for him.

He needs the win if he hopes to meet WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in what could be the biggest money spinner in the history of the heavyweight division.

The 31-year-old Joshua (23-1; 21) is coming off an easy points win over Andy Ruiz Jr in Saudi Arabia in December 2019 when he avenged his shock seventh-round technical knockout defeat against Ruiz in June of the same year.

Joshua was knocked down four times in the first fight against Ruiz and learnt a hard lesson.

The champion has had an outstanding record since making his pro debut in October 2013 and now goes into his tenth heavyweight title fight, with two of his best wins coming against Wladimr Klitschko and Alexander Povetkin.

Pulev, 39, has been fighting as a pro for 11 years and his only loss came against Wladimir Klitschko in November 2014 when he was knocked out in the fifth round.

It is felt that Pulev lacks the hand speed and boxing skills against the bigger Joshua, who has height and reach advantages (Joshua height 198cm and reach 208cm, Pulev height 194cm and reach 202cm).

Some pundits are predicting that Joshua will soften up Pulev for a few rounds before stopping him somewhere in the later rounds.

Because of the Covid 19 restrictions the crowd will be limited to 1,000.