Big names in boxing, past and present, have given their predictions on who will emerge victorious between unified champion Anthony Joshua and mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev of Bulgaria.
Joshua will put his titles on the line when he take on Pulev inside the SSE Arena in Wembley come Saturday December 12.
He is seen to be one fight away from the undisputed clash with Tyson Fury and cannot afford to slip up against an experienced and dangerous Pulev.
And ahead of the big clash, some top figures in the sport have given their verdict on who will come out top.
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WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury told iFL TV: “It’s heavyweight boxing, especially someone as big as they are, either could win.
“If Andy Ruiz can knock Joshua out, then Pulev definitely can.
“Pulev’s a lot bigger guy and punches probably harder than Ruiz does.”
British heavyweight Dilian Whyte gives the fight to Joshua.
“You know what? It is a run-out for Joshua,” he told SkyBet.
“He’s just had two hard fights back to back, emotionally more than physically.
“So smart business, the Pulev fight. Pulev is old now and he was never really great in his heyday.
“He [Joshua] is happy to take care of his mandatory duties. So it’s a keep-busy fight.”
Speaking on Sky, former heavyweight champion David Haye praised Pulev for his qualities but ruled out a win for the Bulgarian.
Haye told Sky: “I definitely think it’s a good fight for AJ.
“Big, Eastern-European guy who stands up straight, very tall, very strong, only ever lost to Klitschko.
“And in that fight he had a good go against Klitschko. So he’s got the power to cause some issues for people.
“He’s a rough tough guy that AJ will need to be in his best form for.
“But, if he is, I think he wipes the floor with Pulev. I think he’s significantly better.”
On his part ex-world champion Chris Eubank Sr told the Express Pulev will defeat Joshua.
“There are a few important variables that are important in this fight.
“Firstly, the way each fighter internalises this pandemic is an issue on top of what the fighters already have to manage.
“So much already depends upon this fight; the COVID factor adds an extra dimension to what in isolation is always harrowing.
“All things being normal, AJ has the better boxing IQ as proven in his contest against Andy Ruiz Jr, in a rematch I couldn’t see him winning because I thought he would try to use his power.
“Instead, he used his boxing IQ and took the championship titles back in impressive boxing form. If all is normal then AJ is no doubt the favourite.
“But because nothing is normal in these peculiar times, I suspect Pulev might win this fight and if I were a betting man, which I’m not, that’s where my money would be.”
And for another former heavyweight champion Joseph Parker in a chat with SecondsOut: “I know Pulev will come game, that’s a fight he’s wanted for a while.
“But Joshua, we’ve seen him come back from losing to Andy Ruiz and putting on a good display of boxing.
“I think he’ll just be too quick and too experienced.”
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COMMENTS
Anthony Joshua all the way.