Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev is extremely confident of derailing plans for the biggest fight in boxing – an all-British, undisputed heavyweight world title showdown between IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO ruler Anthony Joshuaand undefeated WBC kingTyson Fury.
The former world title challenger (28-1, 14 KOs) arrived in London over the weekend ahead of his second shot at world glory at The SSE Arena, Wembley, this Saturday.
Pulev says he can visualise himself exposing the flaws of Joshua in the same manner as Andy Ruiz, who dropped AJ four times en route to an upset seventh round stoppage win at Madison Square Garden in June 2019.
“We see a lot of mistakes from Anthony,” said Pulev. “A lot of bad sides to him. I think these mistakes, and the bad sides, stay. The most important thing is how I perform on Saturday night. When I am good, I beat him well. Right now I feel very good, strong and powerful. I am very strong heading into this fight.
“We will see how Joshua performs. I don’t know what to expect from him. It doesn’t matter to me. For me it’s only important what I do in the ring and how I prepare. How is my strategy? How is my boxing? This is what is important. I will perform very differently because I have a lot of experience from the Klitschko fight. I will be a new Kubrat Pulev.
“This fight is not only for me. This fight isn’t just for boxing. It is for all of Bulgaria. Nobody from my country has ever been heavyweight champion of the world. That’s why it will be so good for my country and my people. Bulgarian fans will be really happy.
“This was my late father’s dream. That is why me and my brother are here. His project was to have sons, and for them to become boxing champions. And we are now real, this is now fact. He looks down from above and I’m sure he’s happy. He wants to win on Saturday night with me.
“I feel healthy and happy. I have a lot of energy. After the fight and after the win, I will be really happy. I think after this fight I’m going to fight with Tyson Fury. It will be good. I don’t believe that the Joshua vs. Fury fight is going to happen because I will win on Saturday night. I think the world needs a new world champion like me. I am the new world champion. I am coming.”
Main image: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing.