Sports

Anthony Joshua next fight as heavyweight champion returns to the ring


Anthony Joshua is set to return to the ring against Kubrat Pulev at Tottenham’s new stadium on June 20.

According to The Sun, his mandatory defence of the IBF strap, originally planned for April, has been pushed back to June to avoid the Premier League campaign.

But Spurs are reported to have withstood a late challenge from rivals Arsenal to win the race to host the huge fight as Joshua defends his belts.

The new date will see the fight fall with the country in the midst of Euro 2020 fever as Joshua makes his return to the ring in the UK after his two dramatic fights with Andy Ruiz Jr.

FILE PHOTO: Boxing – Andy Ruiz Jr v Anthony Joshua – IBF, WBA, WBO & IBO World Heavyweight Titles – Diriyah Arena, Diriyah, Saudi Arabia – December 7, 2019. Anthony Joshua celebrates winning his match against Andy Ruiz Jr. Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge/File Photo

Joshua was stunned by Ruiz Jr on his US debut in June before avenging his first professional defeat to regain his titles in Saudi Arabia in December.

He now has mandatory challengers for the IBF and WBO belts as he looks set to take on Bulgarian contender and IBF mandatory Pulev first.

He was due to face Pulev in Cardiff back in 2017 before he pulled out due to injury and Joshua beat late replacement Carlos Takam.

Joshua will take on Kubrat Pulev, who he was due to face back in 2017

The winner of Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder’s rematch could await later in 2020, with the chance they could also face a third fight before meeting Joshua to unify the division.

Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, this week insisted the winner of the rematch between Fury and Wilder cannot avoid Joshua any longer.

The Matchroom boss told TalkSPORT : “For once I agree with my esteemed colleague [Frank] Mr Warren, the winner has to fight Anthony Joshua , there’s no doubt about it.

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Tyson Fury vs Deontay Wilder

“Fury is talking a brilliant game for this fight and he’s an excellent self-promoter. The fact is, we have made offers to Fury and Wilder of 60/40 way before they were as relevant as they are now and they both turned it down.

“So we have been actively trying to make this fight, we’ve been round the houses, it’s been talked about for ages.

“60-40 to both and they wanted 50/50. Like I said in an interview the other day, maybe we will have to make that offer next but there’s no point talking about a deal until that fight is over – but when that fight is over we have got to get it made.”





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