Anthony Joshua knocks out Kubrat Pulev to raise hope of Tyson Fury bout

By Luke ReddyBBC Sport boxing reporter

Last updated on .From the section Boxingcomments115

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Unified world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua mixed power and patience as he knocked out Kubrat Pulev to bolster hopes that a historic fight against Tyson Fury could soon be a reality.

The British heavyweight drilled his mandatory challenger to the canvas twice in round three in a chaotic flurry that saw Pulev smiling while under attack and turning his back when under fire, only to somehow make the bell.

Joshua, perhaps fatigued by the chaos, stepped off the gas and allowed Pulev to at least offer some mild threat, but a barrage of uppercuts in the ninth dropped Pulev and a straight right hand wiped him out seconds later.

The 1,000 fans granted access to Wembley Arena saw a blend of the boxing skills and crushing punches that have helped build Joshua into the attraction he is.

Moments after the fans roared at the prospect of the IBF, WBA and WBO champion facing WBC champion Fury next, Joshua said: "I started this game in 2013, gathered the belts.

"Whoever has the belts I want to compete with. If that is Tyson Fury, let it be Tyson Fury."

More to follow.

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115 comments

  • Just make fury next, stop messing about.

  • I feel like I'm one of the few that likes both AJ and Fury and am just happy that the 2 best in the division are British.

    May the best man win, which I would suspect is Fury but who knows.

  • Clearly impressive skillset from Joshua, but why not show a ruthless streak and finish him off in the 3rd or 4th??

    About time he fought Fury, and while it will be a great encounter, Fury is the favourite for me

    • chewytoffee replied:
      Maybe scared of getting gassed? Pulev moved pretty good in the early rounds.

  • Shame it's not on terrestrial TV.

    • James in Hammersmith replied:
      It's a shame but it's the nature of the sport nowerdays unfortunately. If the BBC had the rights to Fury v Joshua they'd get 20m viewers comfortably. A unification heavyweight title fight would be one of the single biggest sporting events the country has ever hosted.

  • “abstain from spending your money in their shops and economies and invest in black-owned businesses.” Tyson called him out for that, saying imagine if he said don’t shop in black or Asian owned stores, Tyson is going to give Joshua and absolute hiding. Joshua does not want to fight Fury, because he knows what’s coming

  • Brilliant, measured performance and what a stoppage! I think i'm probably alone in wanting to see Joshua fight Wilder rather than Fury. I still don't think Joshua has enough ring craft to beat Fury and a match with Wilder would be a more exciting fight.

  • Saw nothing again tonight to change my mind.
    Fury every time.

  • Good performance, given that AJ was out for a year. Fury is probably rubbing his hands over this though.

  • So called boxing experts criticising Joshua for not finishing it in the 4th ....if he had gone gung ho to finish it off and had got caught....the same experts would been telling Joshua he needs to be more patient....just fickle.

  • AJ was dominant, never looked in trouble,

    as for people saying why not go for it after round 3.......

    they were the same people saying he got cocky after knocking Ruiz down in round 3

  • Good win for AJ against a limited Pulev. Fury still the best in the division by some distance and beats AJ easily if they fight.

    Adore the double standards of the BBC, legacy MSM and his fans ignoring Joshua's racism. Be it this year when he called for racial discrimination against white businesses or 2017 when he spoke of the "superior black race".

    He is a racist.

  • Well done AJ
    Really good movement, calm and effective punching. Pulev gave you a good fight but you showed your quality.

    What a knock out.
    Take a bow.

    • chunkyrussell replied:
      I totally agree. I don't really understand why some are criticising Joshua's performance. He didn't force it and leave himself open - which is what he used to do. He's improved his head movement and showed greater patience and maturity. If he'd gone all out early on and got clipped, everyone would've said he should've been more patient.

  • Joshua should've ended in round 3.

    Fury won't be as giving.

  • Good parts,bad parts,likes the hollywood uppercuts,a smart fighter steps back and hits in with a left hook as he goes for the third one on the trott.starting to think he's a boxer than he is,still top level fighter though but fury wins for me,also runs out of steam after round 5

  • AJ had Pulev in his pocket, especially after round 3..ring time there on in, until he chose when to knock him out.

  • Great win AJ !

  • Honestly don't know how people stay interested in this division. You can bet your house that the next fight or two for Joshua and Fury won't be against each other.

  • Fury will knock him out simples

    • Greg W replied:
      I'd happily bet you £2000

  • These small victories really dont mean anything until he faces a youtuber

    • ___ replied:
      Jake paul would easily take joshua down

  • A bit more money for Joshua to go spend in his friends shops

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