Pulev: Joshua Still Commits Mistakes In His Fights

Bulgarian heavyweight boxer Kubrat Pulev is convinced Anthony Joshua is still vulnerable to the same weaknesses that were so brutally exposed by Andy Ruiz last year.

Joshua was dropped four times by Ruiz in his first professional defeat before beating him on points in the rematch last December.

That second fight saw a change to a far more conservative style by Joshua, but 39-year-old Pulev, who challenges for the Brit’s IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO world titles in London on Saturday, sees a ‘a lot of bad sides’ in the champion’s defence.

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“We see a lot of mistakes from Anthony. A lot of bad sides to him. I think these mistakes, and the bad sides, stay.

“The most important thing is how I perform on Saturday night. When I am good, I beat him well. Right now I feel very good, strong and powerful. I am very strong heading into this fight.‘We will see how Joshua performs. I don’t know what to expect from him. It doesn’t matter to me.”

Pulev, whose only defeat in 29 fights was a stoppage loss against Wladimir Klitschko six years ago, added: “For me it’s only important what I do in the ring and how I prepare. How is my strategy? How is my boxing? This is what is important. I will perform very differently because I have a lot of experience from the Klitschko fight. I will be a new Kubrat Pulev.”

“This fight is not only for me. This fight isn’t just for boxing. It is for all of Bulgaria. Nobody from my country has ever been heavyweight champion of the World. That’s why it will be so good for my country and my people. 

“Bulgarian fans will be really happy. This was my late father’s dream. I feel healthy and happy. I have a lot of energy. After the fight and after the win, I will be really happy. I think after this fight I’m going to fight with Tyson Fury. 

“It will be good. I don’t believe that the Joshua vs Fury fight is going to happen because I will win on Saturday night. I think the world needs a new world champion like me. I am the new world champion. I am coming.”