Anthony Joshua to face Pulev on December 12

British-Nigerian boxer, Anthony Joshua will fight IBF mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev on December 12 at London’s O2 Arena, promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed.

The fight between the heavyweight champion and the Bulgarian was initially slated to take place in June at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but was postponed in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

With normal service gradually resuming elsewhere, a new date for the bout has now been revealed.

‘Yes, December 12 at the O2 is the plan for AJ,’ Hearn told Boxing Scene.

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Sports promoter John Wirt, who co-promotes Pulev with Top Rank also said: 

‘We are happy that the fight appears to be back on track and that we have a new date and site.

‘There is still some tweaking to do on the contract but we are optimistic it should be concluded this week.’

According to reports by talkSPORT, Tyson Fury’s third clash with Deontay Wilder could take place a week later after Anthony Joshua and Kubrat Pulev’s fight. The much-anticipated showdown reportedly could be held on December 19.

The news will come as a huge disappointment to many boxing fans who have been expecting the much anticipated unification fight between the two Brits, Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury in a fight which would produce the first undisputed boxing champion after Lennox Lewis surrendered his heavyweight titles in 2001.