Anthony Joshua, Kubrat Pulev Fight Scheduled for December 12 at O2 Arena

 

The fight between Anthony Joshua and Kubrat Pulev is set to take place on December 12 at the O2 Arena in London, one week before Tyson Fury takes on Deontay Wilder in their trilogy rematch, Eddie Hearn has confirmed

Joshua and Pulev were originally scheduled to fight on June 20 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

But the coronavirus pandemic pushed the fight back until the end of the year.

And now Hearn has confirmed the date of their bout, which conveniently falls the week before Fury faces Wilder for the third time.

“Yes, December 12 at the O2 is the plan for AJ,” Hearn told Boxing Scene.

Joshua hasn't fought at the O2 Arena since a 2016 win over Dominic Breazeale.

The Olympic gold medallist defended his IBF world title that night, the same belt which Pulev is mandatory challenger for.

Should Joshua come through the fight, he will likely face the winner of Fury vs Wilder 3.

Pulev's co-promoter John Wirt echoed Hearn's sentiments and said there were just a few more things to iron out before December 12 is confirmed.

“We are happy that the fight appears to be back on track and that we have new date and site,” said Wirt.

“There is still, some tweaking to do on the contract but we are optimistic it should be concluded this week.”

Joshua hasn't fought since his unanimous decision win over Andy Ruiz Jr back in December in Saudi Arabia.

AJ won the WBA, WBO, and IBF straps, which he lost to the Mexican six months earlier at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Pulev hasn't fought since November, when he outpointed Rydell Booker on the undercard of Jamel Herring vs Lamont Roach Jr.

Joshua and Fury have already pencilled in two fights for next year, but the pair will need to come through their respective fights with Wilder and Pulev first.

Should they be victorious, Fury and Joshua would battle in the first ever all-British undisputed world heavyweight title fight in boxing history.

 

FROM .express.co.uk/sport/boxing/1329672/Boxing-news-anthony-joshua-vs-kubrat-pulev-december-12-o2-arena-eddie-hearn