Anthony Joshua vs Kubrat Pulev postponed due to coronavirus pandemic, claims Bulgarian
Bout is scheduled for 20 June at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Anthony Joshua’s world heavyweight title defence against Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev will be postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak, the IBF’s mandatory challenger said on Thursday.
Former European amateur super-heavyweight champion Pulev said the fight would probably take place at the end of the year, instead of 20 June at Tottenham Hotspur’s stadium in London as scheduled.
The 62,000-seat stadium is unlikely to be available after European soccer’s governing body Uefa postponed Euro 2020 to 2021 this week, meaning any rescheduled Premier League fixtures could now run into the summer.
“It is impossible for the fight to take place on 20 June, although I am ready,” Pulev, 38, said.
“The match will take place a few months later, perhaps towards the end of the year.”
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn said earlier this week that the fight would not take place behind closed doors.
Pulev, one of Bulgaria’s most popular sportsmen, challenged for the IBF world heavyweight title in 2014, losing to Wladimir Klitschko in Hamburg via fifth-round knockout.
Joshua last fought in London in September 2018 when he beat Alexander Povetkin at Wembley Stadium.
In his last bout, Joshua out-pointed Andy Ruiz Jr in a rematch to regain the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight titles in December.
In June last year Ruiz handed Joshua his first defeat as a pro, beating the Briton via TKO in Madison Square Garden in New York.
Joshua was initially due to fight Pulev at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium in October 2017, but the Bulgarian withdrew after suffering a shoulder injury in sparring.
Last year Pulev was embroiled in controversy during a post-fight interview when he grabbed reporter Jennifer Ravalo’s face and kissed her after knocking out Romania’s Bogdan Dinu in the seventh round in Costa Mesa, California.
Reuters
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments