Anthony Joshua vs Kubrat Pulev Preview, Stats & Prediction Updated for December 2024

Updated: 9th December 2024

Anthony Joshua vs Kubrat Pulev: Preview, stats and Prediction for the fight on Saturday night.

Anthony Joshua is going to defend his World Boxing Association -WBA (Super), International Boxing Federation – IBF, World Boxing Organization WBO, and International Boxing Organization – IBO heavyweight belts against Kubrat Pulev.

The fight is going to be staged at The SSE Arena London, England, on Sunday, 12th December 2020.

Before this fight, Joshua avenged his only loss from Andy Ruiz Jr. by a lopsided unanimous decision last December and reclaimed all the titles.

Statistics

Both the fighters have lost once during their professional career, each fighter lost via a stoppage. Let's see some stats of both fighters.

Anthony AJ Joshua

In his professional career, Joshua fought 24 four times and won only two fights via decision; both by Unanimous Decision, and he stopped 21 opponents. Andy Ruiz Jr. gave Joshua his maiden loss when he stopped the Englishman in the 7th round after dropping him three times.

Kubrat The Cobra Pulev

Pulev faced 29 opponents and defeated 28; 14 victories by way of knockout and 13 by decisions while one victory came by disqualification. His only loss came when he met then reigning heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko for IBF and The Ring heavyweight titles. That fight happened in November 2014 when Klitschko stopped him in the 5th round by a brutal KO.

Let us see the Tail of Tape of AJ vs. Pulev in depth.

Power

AJ has more power in both hands and earned many KO victories, and stopped a lot of high profile fighters. Pulev's KO ratio is less as compared to AJ, so in the power department, AJ is better than Pulev.

Power AJ 10 – 9 Pulev

Technique

AJ is more technical as compared to Pulev. Pulev went on distance with 13 fighters where he outpointed his opponents, this number is more than AJ's 2 victories by UD but, AJ is a good outside fighter and keeps the opponents away while staying behind his jabs. AJ is a great ring cutter as well and chases his opponents in every corner.

Technique AJ 10 – 9 Pulev

Experience

AJ fought less professional fights but has a very rich amateur career. He won the Olympic gold medal in 2012 in the Super heavyweight division before starting his professional journey. He also won two gold medals in ABA Championships in 2010 and 2011. Pulev has faced more opponents and appeared in more rounds as compared to AJ during his professional career. So we make it a tie.

Experience AJ 10 – 10 Pulev

Elite Opposition

Without any doubt, AJ has faced more elite opponents as compared to Pulev. For example, he faced: Dillian Whyte, Joseph Parker, Alexander Povetkin, Andy Ruiz Jr, and Wladimir Klitschko. Pulev did not face any fighter of this class.

Opposition AJ 10 – 9 Pulev

Solid Chin

Both the fighters have suspected chins. We have seen how Wladimir Klitschko dropped AJ with a well timed punch to the chin. But Klitschko could not finish AJ after being gassed out. Andy Ruiz Jr. also dropped AJ three times and stopped him in their first meeting.

Pulev was stopped by Wladimir Klitschko in 2014. Klitschko is the only top fighter faced by Pulev. So, we declare it a tie as both the fighters don't have very strong chins.

Chin AJ 9 – 9 Pulev

Reach, Height, and Age advantages.

AJ is 6 feet 6 inches tall, while Pulev is 6 feet 4 inches tall. AJ's reach is 208 cm ( 82 inches), and Pulev's reach is 202 cm ( 80 inches ).

Aj is 31 years old, while Pulev's age is 39. At 39, usually, boxers are not in their prime and show aging during the fights, especially during the championship rounds. So Anthony Joshua has age, reach, and height advantages over Pulev.

Furthermore, AJ is fighting in his native land in front of the pro-Joshua crowd. So this is another feather in his hat.

• Reach AJ 10 – 9 Pulev
• Height AJ 10 – 9 Pulev
• Age AJ 10 – 9 Pulev
• Crowd Support AJ 10 – 9 Pulev

Anthony Joshua vs Kubrat Pulev Prediction

As per our deep comparison, Anthony Joshua is the favorite to win, and the odds are telling the same. Kubart Pulev is an underdog in this fight, and Anthony is the favorite to defend his titles. As per our prediction, there will be a competitive fight during the first quarter.

In the first round, fighters will try to figure the opponent’s arsenal out. They will judge what the opponent has brought to the table. AJ’s outside game will be the difference in this fight, and if he keeps fighting from the outside while staying behind his jabs and lands some occasional power shots with his right hand, he is going to win the fight with a knockout.

Prediction: Anthony Joshua TKO7

After this fight, the winner is going to face either Alexander Povetkin or the World heavyweight lineal champion Tyson Fury; or the winner of Fury vs. Wilder II if it happens.

Anthony Joshua to win by Technical Knockout 4/5 with Bet365

(Bet365 boxing odds correct as of 09/12/2020 and subject to change.)

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