Anthony Joshua will guard his heavyweight world titles against Kubrat Pulev at the 02 Arena in London on 12 December, his first battle in a year.
Affirmation of the rescheduled battle – Joshua's first since he beat Andy Ruiz Jr on focuses to recapture his titles last December – comes after Pulev apologized for making a reference to Joshua's skin tone in a public interview in Bulgaria prior this week.
At the point when gotten some information about his rival's qualities, Pulev stated: "I'd state he has an incredible punch unquestionably … [and] his tan is superior to mine." The required challenger has since apologized, saying his remarks were "taken outside of any relevant connection to the subject at hand".
Boxing
"I could never, under any conditions, permit myself to show lack of regard to another person on racial, ethnic or strict grounds," the 39-year-old said in an announcement. "In the event that someone has been insulted by my words, I trust they would attempt to see precisely what I implied by them and in the event that they can't get me, at that point acknowledge my earnest expression of remorse."
Joshua didn't react straightforwardly while affirming the battle, saying just "I regard each adversary and I regard Pulev. I wish him well during his arrangement."
The 31-year-old included that he trusted a predetermined number of observers would have the option to go to the session, in spite of all pilot occasions for live game staying on hold inferable from the Covid pandemic.
Kubrat Pulev
"The O2 is the first lion's sanctum, I have a ton of history with the field, yet without the fans something colossal is missing," Joshua said. "I am truly trusting that, security allowing, we may have the option to acquire some boxing fans, yet we should see.
Joshua was planned to take on Pulev in June however the session was delayed in view of the Covid flare-up. It has now been affirmed he will take on Pulev in his first home session in over two years, with his IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO belts on the line.
Anthony Joshua
The contenders, both of whom have lost just a single time in their expert professions – Joshua to Ruiz Jr a year ago and Pulev against Wladimir Klitschko in 2014 – were first set to meet in October 2017 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. Nonetheless, Puley pulled back in the wake of supporting a shoulder injury fourteen days before the battle; Joshua beat his late substitution, Carlos Takam.
Pulev stated: "For a little nation of Bulgaria to defend the heavyweight titles is an incredible achievement. This battle is for my late dad and all Bulgarians around the globe. I'm coming to London to hold onto the heavyweight title of the world."
In the event that Joshua asserts his 24th success from 25 expert battles, he will make a stride nearer towards an all-British standoff against Tyson Fury in a battle to decide the undisputed heavyweight champion.