Eddie Hearn slammed by Pulev’s promoter for dragging heels and ‘not delivering promises’ over Anthony Joshua fight
EDDIE HEARN has been slammed by Kubrat Pulev's promoter for "not delivering his promises" over the Bulgarian's fight with Anthony Joshua.
It had been agreed that the pair would fight at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on June 20, before the sporting calendar was thrown into chaos by the coronavirus pandemic.
And while much of the boxing world's focus has been diverted by AJ's agreement to fight Tyson Fury next year, the hurdle of Pulev has been rather neglected in people's minds.
That is certainly the sentiment of the Bulgarian's co-promoter, Ivaylo Gotzev, who believes Hearn is yet to make good on his promise to fix up the mandatory IBF contest.
Gotzev said: "[Joshua] has to be back home where he feels the backing of the crowd and the fans, he likes being home sweet home.
"And we have agreed to give it to him, except they’re taking too long now.
";Eddie is known for saying one thing and doing another.
"He needs to organise his thoughts and form of doing contracts and obligations and dealing with people, because in the long run it's going to create a lot of animosity and people are going to think twice about doing business with Eddie.
We agree to all terms... But we're still here playing games."
Ivaylo Gotzev
"Eddie does not come through as a guy who delivers on his promises.
"The excellent offer [to stage the fight in Croatia] was there, but unfortunately there was never really any intent from their side taking the fight outside the UK from day one, it was all smoke and mirrors. Once we realised that, we quit trying because there was no sense in continuing to do so.
"We’re happy with it, we agreed to come to the UK and AJ's back yard, to go to North London and win a title.
"Because that's what warriors do. They conquer and that's what we're about to do, conquer AJ in his homeland. We agree to all terms, worryingly. But we're still here playing games."
'LAST HURDLE'
Gotzev admitted that the coronavirus pandemic takes precedent right now but believes the Fury talk has distracted Joshua's camp.
Whenever Pulev does take to the ring with the Brit, his co-promoter predicts a very tricky fight with the 39-year-old more determined than ever to make his mark.
He continued: "The last hurdle to get this fight done is the world’s hurdle. I’m not denying there are people struggling with the virus but we are waiting for the UK Government.
"They have to open borders, so we are waiting for Eddie to have some audience in the stadium, which I do understand - it’s a business, we need the audience.
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"This is going to be one punch takes it all, I hope they realise they've got a fight on their hands.
He added: "They’re focusing too much on those big paydays and the big picture, but guess what, the big picture right now is Kubrat Pulev, that’s who they should be focusing on.
"And he will give AJ the fight of his life. Pulev will take him out of competition when he knocks him out."