Anthony Joshua said he is set to defend his IBF, WBA and IBO belts in a heavyweight title fight against Kubrat Pulev in Cardiff on October 28. Joshua confirmed the bout following Pulev’s announcement on Monday that the fight will take place at the Principality Stadium this autumn. The England-born Nigerian confirmed the heavyweight title fight on Instagram.
He said, ‘Greetings fight fans, I hope you’re well,’ ‘October 28, I will be defending my IBF, WBA and IBO heavyweight championship title of the world against Kubrat Pulev. ‘He’s game, ready and it’s been a long time coming. I can’t wait to get back in the ring. I just want to say thanks for your support over the years. You know me, I can’t wait to get back in the ring and perform. I’ll do it for you – thank you.’
Joshua was been told he must face IBF mandatory challenger Pulev before December 2 or risk being stripped of that belt. But the Cardiff bout, which may well take place under the closed roof at the Principality Stadium, is one Joshua is relishing.
And now he is set to take on Pulev in front of 80,000 fans at Wales’s Principality Stadium
‘October 28 can’t come soon enough,’ Joshua said. ‘I have been eager to get back in the ring since Wembley and now we are confirmed and ready. I’ll be locked away focusing on fight number 20 for the next eight weeks. I am excited to experience the atmosphere in a sold out Principality Stadium and aim to give the fans a spectacular night.’
Sportsmail columnist and Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn, who had applied for his licence to promote in Nevada in anticipation of a Klitschko rematch in Vegas, said: ‘I’m delighted that we will be in Cardiff at the magnificent Principality Stadium for the next step of the AJ journey. Nearly 80,000 will gather on October 28 to create another unforgettable night of boxing.’
Pulev, who was knocked out by Klitschko three years ago, is Joshua’s mandatory IBF challenger The bout may take place under the closed roof at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff . The 27-year-old Briton, undefeated in 19 fights, had been due to face Klitschko in a rematch of their April bout, which Joshua won with an 11th-round knockout, but Klitschko has since announced his retirement.
Pulev, one of Bulgaria’s most popular sportsmen, turned professional at the age of 28 in September 2009, less than a year after winning the European amateur boxing title in Liverpool. He has held the European heavyweight title twice between 2012 and 2016 and has challenged once for the unified world heavyweight title in 2014, losing to Klitschko in Hamburg on a fifth-round knockout.
