Eddie Hearn: Anthony Joshua v Kubrat Pulev Will Not Be Postponed Again

Anthony Joshua’s world heavyweight fight against challenger Kubrat Pulev will not be postponed again, even if it has to be held behind closed doors, says Eddie Hearn.

Britain’s Anthony Joshua, 30, last fought Andy Ruiz Jr in December and won.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden will meet sports bodies on Wednesday to discuss allowing 1,000 fans into events, which could potentially pave the way for fans to attend boxing matches aigain.

“Every sport is in trouble without fans. We have got to do what is right. We have got to listen to the government but we have got to try and make sure we can bring them back.” Eddie Hearn told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“Hopefully this is the next phase of doing that and the venues will be dependent on whether fans will be allowed back into the arenas.”

Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev, 39, is the mandatory challenger to Anthony Joshua’s IBF belt, with the Briton also holding the WBA, WBO, and IBO world title.

“Anthony hasn’t boxed for a year and the ultimate thing is he needs to progress his career. He wants to learn, he wants to fight, he wants to be active and we live in a world now where you can’t wait.” Eddie Hearn added.

“You’ve got two options: you either sit and wait – and that includes Anthony Joshua – maybe until next year, or you get out there and you fight, you earn your money, you learn your craft and you continue to battle through it.

“We hope that there is some sunshine over the hill with this whole nightmare.”

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“We are not prepared to sit tight and wait and we have said in these schedules, fans or no fans, our fights will be taking place.”

“If you’re a business, if you’re a sport, you can’t afford to sit and wait for what might be.”

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