Pulev happy to fight AJ behind closed doors
ANTHONY JOSHUA’S June 20 opponent Kubrat Pulev says he is happy to fight AJ without the presence of fans at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium because of the coronavirus
outbreak.
The fight may also end up happening on July 25, according to promoter Eddie
Hearn. supposed to fight in October 2017, before the Bulgarian injured his shoulder and pulled out.
Their second crack at facing each other, however, could also fall through, as the coronavirus pandemic continues to disrupt the sporting schedule across the globe.
The possibility of closed-door events taking place has been mentioned, but it doesn’t seem to be in the plans for Joshua’s promoter Hearn.
But Pulev is happy to fight Joshua at Tottenham’s stadium without fans.
“I’m ready for June 20, July 25, whenever they say. You see what the situation is, the whole world must adjust to it,” he said.
“There’s no problem to be without spectators. Everyone would be at home, they can pay-per-view, so I don’t see any problem financially.
“The show could be a bit lost without fans but it can still happen.
“After all, it’s a world championship, which must take place.”
Hearn, however, doesn’t want the fight to take place without fans, they’re the most important part of staging a mega-event.
“For me, boxing is unique in many ways, particularly in terms of the role that the fans play in making a fighter peak in a very important moment in their career,” Hearn said.
“I cannot see how we can stage a fight behind closed doors with no crowd.
“Can you imagine Anthony Joshua walking to fight Kubrat Pulev in front of you and me and [Sky Sports head of boxing] Adam Smith? It’s just not going to happen.
“Could you imagine Derek Chisora fighting Oleksandr Usyk behind closed doors and laying him out with a punch from the gods and standing on the turnbuckle to see no-one?
“The crowd are so integral to the dramatic aspect of the sport of boxing, and in terms of being a TV product. For me, it’s very difficult to do it behind closed doors.” – Express Newspapers