By Charles Brun: Tyson Fury’s promoter Bob Arum revealed on Thursday during the Kubrat Pulev vs. Anthony Joshua press conference that he’s already planning on looking for another opponent for the ‘Gypsy King’ for early 2021 because he expects AJ to lose on Saturday night.
Arum predicts a knockout for Pulev (28-1, 14 KOs) of IBF/WBA/WBO heavyweight champion Joshua (23-1, 21 KOs) when the two face each other at the SSE Arena in London, England.
According to Arum, Fury agrees with him about his prediction of a knockout win for Pulev over Joshua. That won’t be good for Fury if Pulev wins because there’s a lot more money to be made in a Fury-Joshua fight than a Fury-Pulev.
Pulev knocks out Joshua predicts Arum
If Joshua loses to Pulev, the two will meet up in early 2021 in a rematch, and Fury would need to wait until the smoke clears for that encounter.
“Pulev is a big, rugged Bulgarian, and I really feel that Anthony Joshua is vulnerable, and will not only beat him but knock him out,” said Arum during Thursday’s news conference.
“I will greet that victory with the job that it brings to me…It’ll be disappointing to Tyson Fury because he’s looking forward to fighting Joshua.
“We’re already making plans to fight other fights because Fury agrees with me that Pulev is going to upset the applecart and beat Joshua.”
Our paths cross again. pic.twitter.com/JUG1qwXbyq
— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyfjoshua) December 10, 2020
Joshua and Pulev will be headlining on Sky Box Office on Saturday night on December 12th.
The fight is selling for £24.95 on pay-per-view on Sky in the UK, but U.S boxing fans will be able to watch it on DAZN.
Arum says, “Fans in the UK will get their money’s worth on Saturday night.”
The flaws that Joshua showed in his past fights is what Arum is honing in on with his prediction of a win by his fighter Pulev because he’s looked beatable in many of his fights.
Arum points out that his former fighter Andy Ruiz Jr, who he doesn’t rate as a big puncher, could knock out Joshua. He doesn’t rate Ruiz Jr as being as powerful or as technically proficient as the 39-year-old Pulev, who seems to have improved his punching power late in his career.
Kubrat in the best shape of his life
Interestingly, looking at the pocket face that Joshua had while sitting on the stage, listening to Arum predict a knockout for Pulev. AJ did a good job of not smiling or showing shock or irritation while Arum made his prediction.
“Kubrat Pulev is a really rugged fighter, and we were privileged to promote a number of his fights in the United States, and because of his IBF mandatory position with the IBF, he was able to secure this fight with Anthony Joshua,” continued Arum.
“Pulev went into severe training in Bulgaria, he’s in the best condition of his career, and I look forward to him not only beating Anthony Joshua but to knock him out,” said Arum.