Strange if true but this is all over the web
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Strange if true but this is all over the web
Bizarre rumour claims Anthony Joshua vs Kubrat Pulev could take place in Istanbul, Turkey
Anthony Joshua will defend his unified heavyweight world titles against Kubrat Pulev in Istanbul, Turkey, if reports coming out of Bulgaria are to be believed.
On Thursday morning, multiple major outlets from Pulev’s home country stated that their man will be challenging AJ in May at Besiktas FC’s Vodafone Park stadium.
https://talksport.com/wp-content/upl...60&quality=100
As things stand the rumours should be treated with a fair amount of scepticism. Nothing official has been confirmed or even reported by anybody related to negotiations.
However, Pulev did share a link to one of the reports on his Facebook page, causing speculation to intensify.
While it seems unlikely that a fight between a Brit and a Bulgarian would end up in Turkey, anything now appears possible after the Andy Ruiz Jr vs Anthony Joshua rematch took place in Saudi Arabia.
The Saudis put up a sizeable site fee to secure the December 7 mega event and generated a great deal of worldwide publicity for their country as a result.
Istanbul is already hosting the UEFA Champions League final on May 30, 2020.
It was already known that AJ’s next fight is likely to be against Pulev, who appears to be the preferred option out of his two mandatories.
The IBF have put forward the Bulgarian as their challenger while the WBO insist Oleksandr Usyk should get a shot.
It is possible the WBO belt may be vacated as a result.
https://talksport.com/sport/boxing/6...tanbul-turkey/
Usyk's manager posted pic of him Joshua and Hearn today having a meeting at the Dorchester.
Of course it may be they are just friends and were out on the lash but who knows.
Here's an idea follow up with a top tier must see heavyweight clash and save on airfare and security. Or comparatively speaking make Chisora at home who arguably has done far more since Pulev. Never understand the obedience to defend v a 'mandatory' for some alphabet group that holds 2 of 10 contender spots open as "not rated" year-round.
AJ is voluntarily doing this because he gets more money, is an easier fight, and keeps the title’s intact in that order.
AJ calls the shots and decides what is best for him, he does not play other people tunes.
Would have preferred a fight with Usyk, but maybe he first needs a few bouts vs better and better calibre fighters before he goes for one of the belt holders?
Joshua almost certain to fight Pulev next in Britain, says Hearn
World heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua's next fight is almost certain to be in Britain against mandatory IBF challenger Kubrat Pulev of Bulgaria, the Briton's promoter Eddie Hearn said on Wednesday.
Hearn told Sky Sports television that a number of venues were being considered, in London and Cardiff, and the fight is likely to be at the end of May or in early June.
Joshua beat Mexican-American Andy Ruiz Jr in Saudi Arabia in December to win back the WBO, IBF, WBA and IBO belts he had lost in New York last June.
That Madison Square Garden fight was Joshua's first title bout outside Britain.
https://s.yimg.com/it/api/res/1.2/Kf...8a6b351ca5d2cd
Hearn said the Pulev fight should be finalised within a couple of weeks.
"Almost certainly that will be AJ's next fight and almost certainly in the UK," he added.
"The main issue we have is Pulev wants to make as much money for that fight as he can.
"There isn't as much money for that fight in the UK as there is elsewhere, but AJ has given me the instruction that 'I boxed in New York, I boxed in Saudi, I would like to do this one in the UK'."
Hearn listed Tottenham Hotspur's stadium in North London, as well as Arsenal's Emirates ground, among options that also included Twickenham and Cardiff.
Joshua also has a WBO mandatory challenger in Oleksandr Usyk, but the Ukrainian is expected to fight Britain's Dereck Chisora in March or April before having a shot at Joshua if the champion beats Pulev.
Eddie Hearn says Anthony Joshua will "almost certainly" fight Kubrat Pulev in the United Kingdom following back-to-back bouts overseas.
Unified world heavyweight champion Joshua could face IBF mandatory challenger Pulev in May or June after regaining his titles from Andy Ruiz Jr last December.
Hearn, the 30-year-old Briton's promoter, revealed Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Twickenham and Arsenal's Emirates Stadium are among the potential venues for Joshua to do battle with Bulgarian veteran Pulev.
The Matchroom Boxing boss told Sky Sports: "It's close [a deal] and if it was proving difficult to make, we would go into purse bids now at this stage, or they would order it.
"We spoke to the camps and they basically said we need another two weeks and we'll have it finalised.
"Almost certainly that will be AJ's next fight and almost certainly in the UK.
"The main issue we have is Pulev wants to make as much money for that fight as he can.
"There isn't as much money for that fight in the UK as there is elsewhere, but AJ has given me the instruction that I boxed in New York, I boxed in Saudi, I would like to do this one in the UK.
"Spurs, Emirates, Cardiff, Twickenham, everywhere is in play, but most likely end of May, early June. Joshua-Pulev in the UK."
Hearn added that it is not totally out of the question that Joshua will step into the ring with Oleksandr Usyk in his first fight of 2020, but Derek Chisora.is more likely to be the Ukrainian's next opponent.
"Possible, but we've pretty much agreed terms now with Chisora and Usyk for that fight," Hearn stated.
"It's just a case of finalising it, March 28, early April, but I'm very confident you'll see that fight as well."
https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/jos...114513806.html