bold prediction
Anthony Joshua will LOSE to Kubrat Pulev after being beaten by Andy Ruiz Jr, who is ‘not a puncher’, Bob Arum claims
Legendary promoter Bob Arum believes Anthony Joshua is 'vulnerable' and will lose to Bulgarian veteran Kubrat Pulev when the pair meet in their world title showdown next month.
Joshua, 31, is set to defend IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight titles at the 02 Arena on December 12, although there could be a change in venue owing to the coronavirus pandemic.
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And referencing Joshua's devastating defeat to Andy Ruiz as a prime example of where his weakness lies, Arum underlined how a 'real tough, rugged heavyweight' like Pulev will cause the Brit no end of problems.
Speaking on the , Arum said: "I’m involved with everybody, including Eddie (Hearn).
"I said ‘don’t make plans so quick for a Fury-Joshua fight because I think Pulev is going to beat Joshua.'
"Let me explain my theory. Joshua got knocked out by Andy Ruiz, who is not a puncher, never been a puncher, and I know that because thirty odd fights that Ruiz had, we promoted.
"He has quick hands, he’s not a bad heavyweight, but he’s not a puncher. He devastated Joshua and knocked him out.
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"Then the second fight, what happened there? Joshua ran around the ring, Ruiz had celebrated so much and gotten so obese that he couldn’t catch him and that was the fight.
"So I think Joshua is still vulnerable and Pulev is a real tough, rugged heavyweight."
Like Joshua, 39-year-old Pulev has lost just once in his professional career from 29 outings inside the ring.
That defeat came against Wladimir Klitschko back in 2014 when he fought for the IBF title.
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