By Tim Parsons-
Polish heavyweight, Kubrat Pulev, has vowed to produce a shock knock out win against Anthony Joshua, in the process ruining his ambitions of unifying the heavyweight division in a fight against Fury in 2021.
Pulev, who meets Joshua this Saturday, is determined to spoil Britain’s heavyweight king’s dreams, by bringing to pass his own big vision of becoming the first Bulgarian heavyweight champion ever. He is motivated by the fact Andy Ruiz Jnr once knocked out Joshua, and aims to repeat the upset that took the world by surprise.
Pulev’s only defeat in 29 fights is to former reigning world champion, Wladimir Klitschko in 2014, an experience he says will increase his chances of defeating Joshua. The Bulgarian has some decent wins on his record, including a points decision against tough Derek Chisora in 2016, a landslide decision against Kevin Johnson in 2017, and one against Hughie Fury in 2018. Joshua is a bigger challenge, but not one Pulev thinks cannot be overcome.
‘I will perform very differently because I have a lot of experience from the Klitschko fight. I will be a new Kubrat Pulev,’ he said.
‘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. That is why me and my brother are here. His project was to have sons, and for them to become boxing champions. And we are now real, this is now fact. He looks down from above and I’m sure he’s happy. He wants to win on Saturday night with me.
‘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”.
World Champion: Anthony Joshua
Joshua, who is a big favourite to win, cannot take Pulev lightly. The Bulgaria has over 10 years experience as a professional and is conscious of all of Joshua’s strengths.
The clash could turn out to be a very good fight, even producing an unlikely upset if Pulev is as serious as he talks. Joshua is the more explosive and faster fighter, but Pulev is capable of exploiting weaknesses in Joshua’s style if the Londoner has not fixed them yet. Joshua has put a lot into training and preparation for this fight, so it will all depend what happens in the ring.