The fight between Anthony Joshua and Kubrat Pulev is scheduled for June 20, although boxing’s respective governing bodies are in the midst of finalizing venue (Tottenham Hotspur Stadium) specifics. Will there be some semblance of an audience? Maybe, maybe not, but regardless this fight will go on even if last minute adjustments are made. The United Kingdom continues to be in a lockdown, which could mean this fight will move to another locale if needed. In any case, Vegas odds are up and money is coming in fast for this highly anticipating heavyweight meeting. Here’s a preview of this British-Bulgarian boxing war.
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Betting Preview for the Anthony Joshua vs. Kubrat Pulev IBF /WBA/ WBO/IBO Heavyweight Title Bout on June 20 2020
Where: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London
When: Saturday, June 20, 2020 (tentative)
Broadcast: PPV
Line: Anthony Joshua (-1200) vs. Kubrat Pulev (+700) – view all Boxing lines
Betting on Anthony Joshua (-1200)
Total fights: 24
Wins: 23
Wins by KO: 21
Losses: 1
Draws: 0
After successfully redeeming himself from the embarrassment he suffered in a shocking knockout loss to Andy Ruiz Jr. in June of last year by defeating the same man six months later, Joshua is ready to make his first defense — again — of the IBF, WBA, WBO, and IBO belts he’s reclaimed. If there’s one positive thing that has likely happened to Joshua after his loss to Ruiz, it’s that he’s learned the lesson not to take anyone lightly. Joshua is coming into this Pulev fight as a huge favorite once again at odds of -1200 to take care of business against the Bulgarian. Joshua’s a powerful monster inside the ring, with 21 of his wins coming by way of knockouts. He’s large, even by heavyweight standards, as he comes in with a 6-6 chiseled frame. However, we saw Joshua resort more to technique and all-around boxing savvy in his rematch with Ruiz, proving he’s more than just a knockout artist, as he came away with a unanimous decision. Joshua has at least a pair of advantages against Pulev. The British stands two inches taller and has a 2.5-reach advantage, which should help keep Pulev at bay.
Betting on Kubrat Pulev (+700)
Total fights: 29
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 14
Losses: 1
Draws: 0
Whether he admits it or not, Pulev must be feeling wary of Joshua. But that’s not going Pulev from believing he could pull off a huge upset, and this might be the perfect time for him to meet Joshua. Sure. Joshua looked good in his last fight, but you can’t generally say that about him over his last three fights in which he had a scare against Alexander Povetkin then suffered the aforementioned loss to Ruiz. Joshua knocked out Povetkin two years ago, but not before rocking the champion with a combo in the opening round that left his nose bloodied. Everyone knows what happened in the first meeting between Joshua and Ruiz, and for Pulev, he might be considering that matchup as another sign of the cracking of Joshua’s armor. Pulev has won all his last eight fights. His last loss happened six years ago against Wladimir Klitschko. Since then, Pulev has scored wins over the likes of Dereck Chisora, Samuel Peter, and Rydell Booker, whom he beat in November of 2019. While he does not have elite power, Pulev is an aggressive fighter who can hang with his opponents until the final round at least in terms of endurance.
Writer’s Prediction
Joshua knocks out Pulev in the fourth round.
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