Sports

Joshua v Pulev: Weigh-in clash as fighters square up before Wembley Arena bout

Newsexplored

11th December 2020

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Pulev shouts at Joshua — Pulev sought to shout at his rival as soon as Joshua appeared at Friday’s weigh in

Venue: Wembley Arena Date: Saturday, 12 December
Coverage: Commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live & BBC Sounds from 22:00 GMT; live text coverage on the BBC Sport website & app

Anthony Joshua warned Kubrat Pulev he will face a “real one” in Saturday’s world title fight as the pair exchanged heated words at Friday’s weigh-in.

Pulev, 39, goaded Joshua as the unified world heavyweight champion took to the scales, drawing an animated reaction.

The pair stood face to face – Pulev shouting, and Joshua waving his finger – with security keen to intervene.

“I would have just clapped him in his jaw there and then, but I have to wait until tomorrow,” Joshua, 31, said.

Speaking to Sky Sports, the British boxer said he could not repeat what he said to Pulev on television, adding: “Many years I’ve been in boxing and seen a lot fighters talk a lot of rubbish, then they get smacked up.

“I know what he’s like, I have studied him. He thinks he’s a warrior. I said ‘don’t let the guys you’ve fought gas you up, you’re in with a real one now’.

“When people come in the ring with me they are confident and then after a few rounds their soul gets destroyed. When I see that I can take them out.”

Pulev (right) drew a reaction from the unified world heavyweight champion as Joshua wags a finger — Pulev (right) drew a reaction from the unified world heavyweight champion

Bulgarian Pulev weighed in at 239.7lbs – a 9lbs drop from his last fight – while Joshua was 4lbs heavier than when he faced Andy Ruiz Jr in December 2019, scaling 240.8lbs.

Pulev, who will challenge for Joshua’s IBF, WBA and WBO world titles, said: “I told him I respect him so much but I’m a better boxer and tomorrow I’ll show him.

“I think he didn’t like that. But times change, no-one can stay the same. He is world champion now, the last day for him. I don’t hate him, I tell him I respect him. But I have so much energy, I’m so powerful and I’m hungry.”

Joshua knows a win could pave the way for a bout with fellow Briton Tyson Fury, where all four world heavyweight titles could be contested for the first time in history.

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Around 1,000 fans will watch his fight with Pulev at Wembley Arena, where BBC Radio 5 Live will be at ringside to provide full commentary.

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Sports

11th December 2020

Newsexplored @newsexploredweb

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