Anthony Joshua to fight Kubrat Pulev on June 20 at new Tottenham stadium… despite late Arsenal bid
ANTHONY JOSHUA is set to defend his world titles against Kubrat Pulev on June 20 in a rearranged fixture at Spurs’ stadium.
And that is a big blow to Arsenal, who made a late bid to snatch the heavyweight clash away from their arch-rivals.
WBA, IBF and WBO king Joshua regained his straps from Andy Ruiz Jr in December and was eyeing a March return.
Promoter Eddie Hearn thought an April defence would be most likely but it has now been pushed back to June, to avoid the Premier League and slot in while the country is buzzing with Euro 2020.
Hearn claimed the Gunners wanted to bring 30-year-old AJ to the Emirates but that Spurs chairman Daniel Levy was always the front-runner.
Tottenham’s £1billion, 62,303-seater arena was specifically designed to hold other sporting and entertainment events.
In a huge money-making year, Levy will coin in serious cash from hosting Saracens’ annual showpiece game with Harlequins on March 28, on top of their regular NFL matches plus gigs by Guns N’ Roses in May.
Then the AJ train will arrive, refuelled and revitalised thanks to his Saudi Arabia rematch win over Ruiz Jr.
Tottenham’s old White Hart Lane home was once a boxing hotbed, having hosted fights as far back as 1922.
More recently, Frank Bruno beat Joe Bugner there in a 1987 thriller and Chris Eubank won a brilliant yet tragic 1991 clash with Michael Watson.
Early on in his career, AJ was considered an Arsenal fan after interviewing club legend Thierry Henry and having Gunners stars attend his fights backstage.
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But the Watford man’s football allegiance has never been confirmed.
Bulgarian Pulev, 38, pulled out of a 2017 fight with AJ through injury.
Unfancied Frenchman Carlos Takam was the late sub and gave AJ ten awkward rounds before he was stopped in front of 78,000 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
