ANTHONY JOSHUA will return to his scintillating best this weekend with a chilling knockout of Kubrat Pulev to not only close the Andy Ruiz chapter in his illustrious career, but also setup the biggest fight in the history of British boxing.
The WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight champion of the world knows he must emerge from Wembley Arena early on Sunday morning with his belts secured to close in on a unification fight with WBC kingpin and domestic rival Tyson Fury in the New Year.
Joshua–Fury, we are led to believe, is all but done. Purse splits agreed. Both fighters’ and their respective camps have made clear indications that fight is definitely next. All that stands in the way is AJ’s IBF mandatory against Bulgarian warhorse Pulev.
Joshua’s last fight in the UK was also his latest stoppage victory, when he KO’d Alexander Povetkin in seven rounds in front of nearly 80,000 fans at Wembley Stadium in September 2018. Saturday’s fight, scaled down dramatically due to the global Covid-19 pandemic, will take place next door at Wembley Arena in front of just 1,000 lucky punters.
In case you just woke up… This is what Anthony Joshua did to Alexander Povetkin in slowmo. #JoshuaPoevtkin pic.twitter.com/mAxiVaHodR
— Oh' Kelvin (@kelvinekerete) September 23, 2018
But AJ needs to be equally as destructive against Pulev who, despite having an impressive 28-1 pro record on top of rich amateur pedigree, was flattened in five by Wladimir Klitschko in his only previous world title chance. And that was six years ago!
In many ways this challenge has come at the ideal time for Joshua. With Fury electing to sit out of competing in lockdown after his trilogy matchup with Deontay Wilder failed to materialise, AJ can shake off ring rust from the last 12 months against a fighter whose tough but slow and predictable.
Unlike fast-handed Ruiz, who caught AJ on his worst possible night in New York in their first fight, Pulev is a typical Eastern European heavyweight: Big, strong, upright but also there to be hit and often quite clumsy. He’ll need to settle behind his jab and line up the back hand to cause an upset. But that offense is bread and butter for Joshua.
British boxing’s biggest ticket seller has built his career outgunning this type of fighter, both in the amateur and pro ranks. AJ has a style – fast feet and heavy combination-punching hands – that by design knows how to negate Pulev’s strengths and expose his weaknesses.
Now 31, Joshua is coming into his prime years as a heavyweight and those slipups of the past will stand him in good stead when the bell rings. AJ back at home, the Bulgarian is walking into a real storm and will get lit up early on before growing increasingly desperate.
Expect Pulev to overreach with a back hand then get countered, following a handful one-sided rounds, before being shown the Wembley exit. AJ by KO in round six or seven, then to rock the mic and call out for that hugely-anticipated showdown with Fury next, early in 2021.
Latest bout odds: Joshua (1/12) Draw (33/1) Pulev (13/2)
Tips: AJ to win by KO in R6 (8/1) or R7 (9/1)
