Anthony Joshua vs Kubrat Pulev build-up LIVE: AJ tips the scales HEAVIER than vs Ruiz as pair have verbals before bout
ANTHONY JOSHUA'S weigh-in is over as he gets set to face Kubrat Pulev at Wembley Arena on Saturday night.
Joshua, 31, was originally set to fight Pulev, 39 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium back in June but the bout was postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Stay up to date with all the fighters and weights as they roll in…
- Joe Brophy
BRIT OF ALRIGHT
Anthony Joshua has claimed that he will answer no more questions about fighting Tyson Fury until after he faces Kubrat Pulev.
He told 5 Live Boxing: "When people ask questions about Fury, in the back of my head I'm thinking my focus is Pulev.
"What I've learned is I'm not going to bother entertaining it anymore.
"All the other conversations about future opponents can come the night after the fight."
- Joe Brophy
PUNCH DRUNK
Exclusive by Joe Miles: Anthony Joshua's fight against Kubrat Pulev may not be shown in pubs or bars this weekend.
Sky Sports have warned fans that the heavyweight showdown could finish later than 11pm.
Pubs and bars are only allowed to stay open until 11pm in Tier One and Tier Two areas.
With ring walks set for around 10.30pm, they may not be able to show the entire fight.
A statement from Sky Sports read: "Due to the timings of the main event between Joshua and Pulev, we are advising those Sky Business customers (pubs/bars etc) who wish to purchase the Pay-Per-View event that they may not be able to show the full fight due to the 11pm curfew in line with the Government restrictions.
"Ultimately the decision is with the venue if they wish to screen the fight but we are making them aware of government legislation and the risks posed if the fight continues beyond 11pm."
- William Pugh
JOSHING AROUND
There was no love lost between Anthony Joshua and Kubrat Pulev as they faced off this afternoon.
The two men exchanged fierce words as the atmosphere ramped up ahead of tomorrow night's clash.
- William Pugh
'GOD IS WITH ME'
AJ was quick to tweet after his public confrontation with Kubrat Pulev.
He shared a photo of the two men staring each other down just before things got heated.
And the Brit simply wrote: "God is with me in battle."
God is with me in battle. pic.twitter.com/XnG25zzhgY
— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyfjoshua) December 11, 2020
- Jack Figg
TRASH TALK
Here is another angle of Pulev giving it the biggen to Joshua.
AJ said: "That's just how we are, innit? Come talking a lot of rubbish, I don't want to swear on TV but he spoke a lot of rubbish.
"It's just back yourself really, that's all it is."
Asked what he told Pulev, Joshua responded: "I don't really want to repeat it on live TV."
- Jack Figg
ON THE PUL
Kubrat Pulev gives his side on the war-of-words with Joshua.
He revealed: “I told him that I am ready and that I respect him, he is Olympic and world champion, so I respect him so much.
“But I am the better boxer and I told him that I will show him tomorrow and he did not like that.
“His reaction did not surprise me, it was normal, he is the world champion, for now.
"It’s his last day as world champion. Tomorrow will be different.
“I did not try to get into his head, I just wanted to tell him that I am much better than him and I will show the whole world tomorrow.
“I don’t hate him, I told him four or five times that I respect him but I am so hungry.
“It will be a very interesting fight, I feel amazing, I am now in paradise because I am a soldier. It is time for the big show.”
Credit: ©Mark Robinson/Matchroom - Jack Figg
ED'S UP
Promoter Eddie Hearn revealed exactly what was getting said between the two human tanks.
He said: “Pulev just kept saying 'tomorrow, tomorrow' so Joshua went 'What do you mean tomorrow?’” Hearn said.
“Pulev said 'Tomorrow I'm going to beat you and show you'.
“Pulev kept talking so Joshua said 'Come over here and say it'.
“Pulev said again 'tomorrow I'll beat you' and AJ said 'What? You? Disrespect me and I'll show you'
“Pulev said 'I respect you' and that dampened it.
"Pulev then said 'Tomorrow I will beat you, I will finish you, I will end you. You know I'm better than you'.
"AJ wasn't rattled."
NINTCHDBPICT000625119394-1Credit: ©Mark Robinson/Matchroom - Jack Figg
NO WEIGH!
Here is the moment Joshua and Pulev got heated after their weigh in.
AJ said: “Many years I’ve been watching boxing and I’ve seen so many fighters talk a lot of rubbish and then they get smacked up.
“That’s just him doing what fighters do. Unless you study boxing, that type of stuff would intimidate someone. But that doesn’t really intimidate me.
“I would have clapped him in his jaw there and then but I’ve got to do it tomorrow.”
- Jack Figg
ANT NO MESSING
Anthony Joshua had to be pulled away from Kubrat Pulev at their Friday weigh-in as the Saturday fight threatened to start early.
AJ got his giant right hand on the Bulgaraian’s left shoulder after the 40-year-old veteran overstepped the mark with whatever was being said underneath the masks.
Credit: ©Mark Robinson/Matchroom After weighing in at 17st 2lbs, three pounds heavier than he was for the rematch win over Andy Ruiz Jr in December 2019, AJ said: “I don’t know what sparked that. That’s just how we are.
“He has spoken a lot of rubbish and now he has to back it up.
“I have seen so many fighters talk a load of rubbish and then get smacked up.
“If you don’t know boxing then that sort of thing could intimidate you but I could have whacked him up there but I have to save it for tomorrow.
“I sparred on Thursday so tonight will just be a shake-out.
“I have studied him and he thinks he is a warrior but he is up against a real one now.
“When people come in the ring with me they are confident but I take their soul away and get them out of there.”
Pulev looked in great shape for a 39-year-old veteran and it was confirmed that he had trimmed 9lbs off since his last fight back in November 2019.
“My physique is different,” he said. “I have a lot of experience.
“In amateur boxing I have more than 300 amateur fights, I don't know how many.
“But in pro boxing, also 10 years, I don't know maybe the physique with the years and fights comes stronger.”
- Jack Figg
FINAL WORDS
"Good weight. Yeah, I feel good.
"I'll train tonight, keep a good routine. I sparred yesterday so tonight will be a shake out.
"I've studied him, he thinks he's a warrior. I told him, 'Don't let the fighters you've fought gas you up. You're in against a real one now'.
"When people come in the ring against me they're confident then after a few rounds their soul gets destroyed.
"Once I see that I can take them out.
"We're big boys, I don't know how to explain it but we punch heavy. First man to land, I think that will be the last man standing."
- Jack Figg
FIGHTING TALK
Joshua adds: "Many years I've been watching boxing and I've seen so many fighters talk a lot of rubbish and then they get smacked up.
"That's just him doing what fighters do. Unless you study boxing, that type of stuff would intimidate someone. But that doesn't really intimidate me.
"I would have clapped him in his jaw there and then but I've got to do it tomorrow."
Credit: ©Mark Robinson/Matchroom - Jack Figg
THE CHAMP SAYS
Joshua: "That's just how we are, innit? Come talking a lot of rubbish, I don't want to swear on TV but he spoke a lot of rubbish.
"It's just back yourself really, that's all it is."
Asked what he told Pulev, Joshua responded: "I don't really want to repeat it on live TV."
Credit: ©Mark Robinson/Matchroom - Jack Figg
WEIGHT A SEC
Joshua comes in at 17st 2lb – 3lb heavier than he weighed against Andy Ruiz Jr in their rematch last year.
The two exchange words on stage for a long while.
Shame we can't hear it as Carl Froch is talking over the action.
Credit: ©Mark Robinson/Matchroom - Jack Figg
NO JOSHING
Here comes the champ…
And Joshua tips the scales at 240.8lb – heavier than his last fight.
Shouts of 'TWO-TIME' fill up the room.
- Jack Figg
ON THE PUL
Pulev, the challenger up first.
He comes in at 239.7lb as he prepares to challenge for the WBA, IBF and WBO world titles.
His only career defeat came to Wladimir Klitschko in 2014.
- Jack Figg
THE BIG TIME
Anthony Joshua and Kubrat Pulev up next. ]
Many speculating the weight AJ will weigh…
He tipped the scales at 16st 13lb for last year against Andy Ruiz Jr.
- Jack Figg
ALL OK
Joshua's protegee Lawrence Okolie co-headlines the event by facing late replacement Nikodem Jezewski.
Both them come in just over 199lb – under the cruiserweight limit.
Okolie was meant to fight Krzysztof Głowacki for the vacant WBO belt until the Pole withdrew injured.
- Jack Figg
FUR REAL
Tyson Fury's cousin makes his return to the ring against Mariusz Wach over ten rounds.
Wach, who lost against Dillian Whyte last year, weighs 274lb.
Manchester's Hughie comes in at 247lb.
Credit: ©Mark Robinson/Matchroom - Jack Figg
- Jack Figg
HEAVY DUTY
The big boys on the scales now…
Sergey Kuzmin weighs 258lb ahead of his fight against Martin Bakokle.
Joshua's sparring partner Bakole comes at 251.4lb
- Jack Figg
WEIGH TO GO
Macaulay McGowan and Kieron Conway both make weight for their super-middleweight fight.
There has been a bit of needle in the build up so expect an explosive fight.
McGowan has filled in for Souleymane Cissokho on a week's notice.
- Jack Figg
MADE HIS MARK
Florian Marku weighs in at 146lb for his welterweight fight against Alex Fearon.
He needed the towel to ensure he made the 147lb limit.
- Jack Figg
SPAR TREATMENT
Carl Froch says Joshua's year out of the ring will not pose too many problems as his sparring has been regular.
He said: "I've been hearing he's been sparring really well, he's had a lot of different sparring .
"I don't think the timing will be a problem as it's the same for both of them. Pulev has been out for just over a year, AJ's been out for a year.
"So it's kind of a level playing field."
- Jack Figg
FAN FAVOURITE
SunSport readers are adamant our home hero Joshua will come out on top against Pulev.
Our readers are certain Joshua will prevail and set up an all-British heavyweight unification bout with WBC champion Tyson Fury.
We asked you who you thought would win and how ahead of Saturday's monster showdown.
And a staggering 80.3 per cent of readers are predicting a win for Joshua.
Incredibly, over two-thirds of fans (66.8 per cent) reckon the British star will win via KO or TKO.
Just 18.9 per cent of fans are tipping Pulev, 39, for a shock win, with a total of 16.3 per cent believing the Bulgarian will win via KO or TKO.
A tiny 0.8 per cent of readers are backing a draw in North London.
Credit: ©Mark Robinson/Matchroom - Jack Figg
EYES ON THE PRICE
Despite the lure of an undisputed title fight with Tyson Fury, Joshua refuses to overlook Kubrat Pulev.
He said: “Pulev has very good balance and that is key.
"You can build skyscrapers on good foundations and nothing on rocky foundations. He is very well schooled.”
Joshua added trainer Joby Clayton to his team after the Ruiz defeat. And he is learning plenty from the free-thinker who likes to run barefoot around the local streets.
He said: “Joby is a martial artist so this isn’t just about boxing for him. He is about lifestyle, he likes the old-school fighters from the 1970s and the Kronk Gym, where you can knock people out.”
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