Anthony Joshua v Kubrat Pulev date: UK start time, full undercard, PPV and live stream info for heavyweight title bout THIS WEEKEND

Anthony Joshua will be back in the boxing ring to face Kubrat Pulev this Saturday in a blockbuster heavyweight clash to end 2020.

The British heavyweight king was due to fight his IBF mandatory challenger in June at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in front of 60,000 fans.

Getty Images – Getty

However, the COVID-19 lockdown saw that put on hold and Joshua will now take on Pulev at Wembley Arena, with just 1,000 people allowed in to watch.

But after a difficult year, boxing fans will at least get to see AJ in action once more ahead of what should be a thrilling 2021 in the sport.

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Joshua v Pulev: UK fight date

• The 12-round heavyweight title fight is scheduled for Saturday, December 12
• It will take place at Wembley Arena in London, with 1,000 fans able to attend
• The undercard will get under way at 7pm, with the main event slated to start between 10pm and 11pm
• The fight will be shown live on Sky Sports Box Office from 7pm
• talkSPORT will bring you regular updates of the fight on the radio

Joshua v Pulev: What has been said?

Joshua is targeting a 2021 showdown with fellow world champion Tyson Fury, but insists he is not looking past dangerous Bulgarian Pulev and is wary of the threat he poses.

He said: “Pulev is named after a great Bulgarian warrior and he has that warrior spirit, he carries the hopes of his nation.

“He is tough, he has a great jab and he will dig deep. He has found a way to beat every opponent, except Klitschko, but I know I have prepared well and I should be victorious.

“I know lockdown has been tough but for me it has been a blessing.

“I have concentrated on training, on improving my boxing, all year. I haven’t had to do much commercial or promotional stuff, I have had more time with my family and more time to train seriously. And the longer I wait for Fury, the better prepared I’ll be.”

Pulev said: “For a small country of Bulgaria to stand up for the heavyweight titles is a great accomplishment.

“This fight is for my late father and all Bulgarians around the world! I’m coming to London to seize the heavyweight championship of the world.”

Mikey Williams/Top Rank

Promoter Eddie Hearn, meanwhile, said: “I can’t tell you how happy I am to see fans returning to our live boxing events.

“Whilst the team have done an incredible job over the last 10 months we live and breathe through the energy and atmosphere that a live crowd generates.

“It’s so fitting that they can return for an AJ fight, when through the last few years he has broken all kinds of attendance records in the U.K. and beyond. This is such a positive move for boxing and all sport. Welcome back!”

Joshua v Pulev: TV channel and live stream

The fight will be shown live on Sky Sports Box Office at a cost of £24.95. Sky’s coverage will start at 7pm ahead of a stacked undercard.

You don’t have to be a Sky customer to watch the fight – you can live stream for the same price on your computer, mobile and tablet devices.

Sky Sports Box Office will also be available on BT TV. There are two ways to make the purchase – by tuning to channel 496 or by searching for the event in the BT Player.

Matchroom Boxing

Anthony Joshua will fight for the first time in a year in December[/caption]

Joshua v Pulev: Undercard

Up and coming cruiserweight Lawrence Okolie will fight on the undercard as he looks to take his unbeaten professional record to 15 wins.

However, he is searching for an opponent after Krzysztof Glowacki tested postive for COVID-19 and was forced to pull out.

Hughie Fury, cousin of world champion Tyson, will be in action against Mariusz Wach, who lost to Dillian Whyte last year.

• Anthony Joshua v Kubrat Pulev – for WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles
• Lawrence Okolie v TBC – for vacant WBO cruiserweight title
• Hughie Fury v Mariusz Wach
• Martin Bakole v Sergey Kuzmin – for vacant WBC international heavyweight title
• Souleymane Cissokho v Kieron Conway
• Qais Ashfaq v Ashley Lane

Joshua v Pulev: Tale of the tape

Joshua – Pulev

Nationality: British – Bulgarian

Age: 31 – 39

Height: 6ft 6 – 6ft 4

Stance: Orthodox – Orthodox

Reach: 82in – 79in

Record: 23-1-0 – 28-1-0

KOs: 21 – 14

Rounds: 103 – 203

Debut: 10/05/2013 – 19/9/2009

Nickname: AJ – The Cobra