We have an all but official date for Anthony Joshua’s return to the ring and it is October 28th. We also already know his opponent too as he next has to fulfill his mandatory defense for his IBF belt against Kubrat Pulev. The only thing left in question is the location. It will probably be in the UK, but Las Vegas does remain a minor dark horse candidate.
Anthony Joshua (19-0, 19 KOs), one of the most popular and profitable fighters in the sport, last fought a few months ago in an epic encounter with Wladimir Klitschko. He won that fight by eleventh round stoppage in a contest in which both combatants hit the deck. Ideally Joshua and his team wanted a mega money rematch with the former heavyweight king, but Wladimir instead elected to retire. The IBF ruled that he must make his mandatory defense following that news.
Kubrat Pulev (25-1, 13 KOs) also fought Wladimir Klitschko, but he did so three years ago during Doctor Steelhammer’s reign of invincibility. A particularly reckless and uncharacteristic attack from the Bulgarian saw him finished in five. Pulev is 5-0 since then with the best win in that span being over Derek Chisora. He hasn’t exactly faced a murderer’s row with his other opponents being the likes of faded former contenders like Samuel Peter and Kevin Johnson.
Yet, despite that criticism, Pulev remains a top heavyweight. I have him ranked sixth in the division while Joshua is of course first. This is not the ideal matchup for Joshua, but it isn’t a terrible one either. His WBA mandatory could be a different story should that be enforced next as highly avoided Cuban slugger Luis Ortiz awaits there. That would be a great fight.
Promoter Eddie Hearn has noted that the fight will almost assuredly be in the UK, but that he wants to talk to people this weekend in Vegas before completely ruling it out. Hearn will be in town for the Mayweather/McGregor card as his fighter Nathan Cleverly competes on the PPV undercard. Presumably Showtime will have the US broadcast will Sky will do the same in the UK as they have both had his rights for a while now.
