21 July 2020

Kubrat Pulev’s promoter insists Bulgarian ready to do battle with Anthony Joshua on a boat

Kubrat Pulev’s promoter has confirmed the Bulgarian would be willing to fight Anthony Joshua on a boat.

The idea was floated last week by Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn as a possible solution to the absence of a crowd in the UK because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Joshua and Pulev were scheduled to fight in 2017 before the Bulgarian pulled out with an injury (PA)

And while Pulev’s representative Ivaylo Gotzev is more keen to stage the event in Croatia, he is also up for doing it in the sea.

 Speaking to Pro Boxing Fans, he said: "By land or by sea this fight must happen. Croatia is an excellent choice, we were welcomed.

"There is a beautiful arena still standing today, [it would be] an epic battle, it will be something that’s noble, something that’s never been seen before in modern times.

"Why not? We have the support of the local municipality, the arena wants us, Croatia can accept us. They have very low numbers in their pandemic situation.

"So there it is, that’s available to us. A boat as Eddie suggested, no problem we’ll jump on a boat and get it on.

"Whatever it takes, we’re ready to fight, we’re ready to battle by land or by sea."

Gotzev and Pulev’s other promoter Bob Arum are currently in talks with Joshua’s team to find a suitable location for the fight, which is likely to take place in the last quarter of the year.

Joshua has not fought since December 2019 when he defeated Andy Ruiz Jr in their highly-anticipated rematch.

Meanwhile, Pulev has not stepped into the ring since November when he laboured to a points decision win over American Rydell Booker.

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