Joshua-Pulev Reportedly Finalized For June

As expected, if you wanted a clash between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury to take place soon, you might have to wait a little longer.

Eddie Hearn told Mike Coppinger of The Athletic earlier today that Joshua will defend his IBF, WBA and WBO Heavyweight Titles against mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev on June 20. The event is set to take place inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. The arena can hold up to 62,000 people.

This will be Joshua’s (23-1) first fight following his series of bouts against Andy Ruiz Jr. The 30-year-old beat Ruiz in Saudi Arabia back in December, avenging the June loss to him inside Madison Square Garden back in June. This would be Joshua’s 22nd fight in England, but his first inside Hotspur Stadium. The Olympic medalist has 21 wins via knockout.

Pulev (28-1) is a gold medalist, winning big during the 2008 European Championships. The Bulgarian has won eight in a row, his lone loss a championship bout against Wladimir Klitschko in 2014. His last bout was a unanimous decision win against Rydell Booker in November. Pulev has dealt with a few issues outside the ring recently, having his license suspended by the California State Athletic Commission for kissing a female reporter. He got his license back a few months later after completing sexual harassment prevention classes.

Joshua and Pulev were supposed to fight one another in 2017 in Wales. Pulev ended up with a shoulder injury, stating it was from a sparring session. Joshua ended up beating Carlos Takam via TKO in ten rounds.

Talks between both camps heated up in January, and the IBF ended up calling for the purse bid. Now, unless negotiations end up going haywire, the fight is set.