{"id":42082,"date":"2020-12-04T09:48:10","date_gmt":"2020-12-04T09:48:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thevoiceoflondon.co.uk\/?p=42082"},"modified":"2020-12-04T09:48:10","modified_gmt":"2020-12-04T09:48:10","slug":"joshua-vs-pulev-the-match-of-possibilities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/thevoiceoflondon\/joshua-vs-pulev-the-match-of-possibilities\/","title":{"rendered":"Joshua vs Pulev: the match of possibilities"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rescheduled, postponed, simulated but never forgotten. That\u2019s the upcoming fight between Anthony Joshua and Kubrat Pulev on the 12th of December, in Wembley’s SSE Arena, London.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sky Sports Box Office will broadcast the event at 6 pm on Saturday, with a pay-per-view price \u00a324.95 for the UK \/ <\/span>\u20ac27.95 for the Republic of Ireland<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Extra cost remains for Anthony Joshua vs Kubrat Pulev pay-per-view: https:\/\/t.co\/xxUpaCoFrE<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/6mHiAkQ9ql<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Boxing News (@BoxingNewsED) November 24, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Both Sky and non-Sky customers can book the event online (click here<\/a>) without any surcharge.<\/span><\/p>\n

AXS<\/a> and Stubhub<\/a>\u00a0sold out limited seats for the match, which varied between \u00a3100 and \u00a31,000 each.<\/p>\n

The Cobra will challenge AJ\u2019s IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO heavyweight titles in London under Tier 2 restrictions.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Infographic by Kristina Hristova on Piktochart | Photo by Joel Munitz on Unsplash | Facts by Box Live – Kubrat Pulev<\/a>, Anthony Joshua<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

The Bulgarian said for the\u00a0Express<\/i><\/a>: “This is going to be a mind game and a chess game for as long as it lasts \u2013 a master chess game \u2013 but the only difference, in the end, is going to come like lightning.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joshua said for the British Boxing News<\/i><\/a>: \u201cThe belts go back up in the air and nothing will stop me from being victorious. I respect every opponent, and I respect Pulev. I wish him well during his preparation.\u201d<\/p>\n

[youtube https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=6KZen5q7F_k]<\/p>\n

With the SSE being an indoor arena, around 1,000 people could attend the match, with social distancing measures in place, talkSport<\/em><\/a> reported.<\/span><\/p>\n

Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Boxing chief, said for the <\/span>Express<\/a>: <\/span><\/i>“If Brent Council allows us, we\u2019ll certainly get that 1,000 into December 12 for Joshua vs Pulev.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Tyson Fury may also attend the fight, the <\/span>talkSport <\/span><\/i>online boxing editor, Michael Benson, tweeted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Eddie Hearn has said Tyson Fury could possibly be ringside to watch Anthony Joshua vs Kubrat Pulev on Dec 12th.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) November 30, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Ten days before the match, there was an arena switch from O2 to that in Wembley.<\/span><\/p>\n

[googlemaps https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/embed?mid=1tuChCtqHrh4EJs5kjUwn5auUXchYhWfc&hl=en&w=640&h=480]<\/p>\n

<\/h3>\n

Game of the heavyweight throne: the professionals\u2019 say<\/span><\/h3>\n

People already started making assumptions about the fight, with The Telegraph<\/em><\/a> hoping for AJ\u2019s victory.<\/span><\/p>\n

Contrarily, at the end of October, a YouTube channel called <\/span>Boxing Fight Simulations <\/span><\/i>released a simulated match between AJ and Pulev, in which the Cobra wins with a knockout in the tenth round.<\/span><\/p>\n

[youtube https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=VaJxeRhFJIM]<\/p>\n

The Voice of London<\/span><\/i> interviewed British and Bulgarian boxers and clubs\u2019 owners to understand more about Joshua and Pulev.<\/span><\/p>\n

Aamir Ali, 47, owner of the Stonebridge Boxing Club (SBC) in Wembley, said for <\/span>The Voice of London<\/span><\/i>: \u2018\u2018I have met Joshua on several occasions. He is a good man, full of energy. As an Olympic gold medalist, he faced the toughest of boxers.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018\u2018Pulev, on the other hand, is an experienced technician, as strong as an ox. What may hinder his progress is his age, but there\u2019s always a 10-30% chance for him to pull something out of nowhere.\u2019\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018\u2018I think Joshua has a 40-60% chance of winning. If this happens, there will be a bigger fight with Tyson Fury.\u2019\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

Fayaz Masamyar, 22, co-founder of East London Boxing Club (ELBC) in Walthamstow, believes Joshua has a better preparation. He said for the <\/span>VoL<\/span><\/i>:\u2018\u2018Both are talented, but I think Joshua is the potential winner.\u2019\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

Valentin Jordanov, 65, is a manager of Vinkel Boxing Club (VBC) in Dobrich, Bulgaria, and a retired boxer.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Jordanov with a fighter. Photo by Vinkel Boxing Club’s Facebook page (used with the owner’s permission)<\/p><\/div>\n

He said for the <\/span>VoL<\/span><\/i>: \u2018\u2018Whatever the result, Pulev is the first Bulgarian boxer to fight at such high level, and we as a nation should recognise that.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018\u2018The match will be between two great boxers. May the best one win.\u2019\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Boxing as a contact sport in a contactless<\/em> world<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Pulev vs Klitschko in O2 World Arena, Hamburg, Germany [15 Nov 2014]. Photo by Kristina Hristova<\/p><\/div>The pandemic and the following restrictions influenced boxing clubs\u2019 owners as well. With gyms and halls opening on 2 Dec, there is hope that things will get back to normal.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ali is \u2018\u2018over the moon\u2019\u2019 to welcome training enthusiasts. \u2018\u2018Helping people out is what we do.\u2019\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

SBC fighters. Photo by SBC’s Facebook page (used with owner’s permission)<\/p><\/div>\n

He has a responsibility for the club. \u2018\u2018We don\u2019t want to close, so we introduced social distancing measures. There are now ten bags in the ring instead of 20, allowing more space for movement.\u2019\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

Ali sees the good in each situation. \u2018\u2018People have become more self-conscious. They clean both before and after using the equipment, leaving the places neat for the next.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018\u2018It\u2019s that change of mindset, which makes a difference.\u2019\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

Masamyar thinks the pandemic situation caused more than financial problems.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Fayaz Masyamyar wears a mask in ELBC. Photo by East London Boxing Club’s Facebook page (used with the owner’s permission)<\/p><\/div>\n

He said: \u2018\u2018There is a lack of connection, which causes personal issues. After all, we don\u2019t just pay the bills. Our club works for the community\u2019s well-being.\u2019\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

ELBC gathering in September 2020. Photo by ELBC’s Facebook page (used with the owner’s permission)<\/p><\/div>\n

Masamyar also introduced changes to the training schedule. \u2018\u2018We limited the number of people to six and extended the sessions so that there is no close contact between transiting players.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018\u2018We can no longer put fighters in sparrings and help them individually, so we come up with new ways of teaching from a two-meter distance.\u2019\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

The audience plays a significant role in increasing the motivation among practitioners of any sport.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

SBC\u2019s professional boxer, Mikael Lawal, trained without fans three weeks ago. Ali highlighted the importance of people\u2019s presence, pointing at the ring walk as a special ritual of adding energy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Mikael Lawal is also a part of SBC’s family. Photo by SBC’s Facebook page (used with the owner’s permission)<\/p><\/div>\n

He said: \u2018\u2018The crowd gives you fuel to fight. It adds emotion. Without spectators, the drive is different, more clinical.\u2019\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

Masamyar said: \u2018\u2018Not everyone will have a chance to buy a ticket, but watching the match between Joshua and Pulev live on TV is better than nothing.\u2019\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

While the UK lockdown ended on 2 Dec, the Bulgarian one started on 27 Nov.\u00a0<\/span>Restaurants, bars, gyms, and schools will remain closed until 21 Dec.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jordanov keeps in touch with his VBC trainees online, waiting for the day they will all return to the boxing hall.<\/span><\/p>\n

[youtube https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=orLNcbFCN38]<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Words: Kristina Hristova\u00a0| Subbing: Arwa Nadeem\u00a0| Video: Kristina Hristova\u00a0| Google Maps: Kristina Hristova<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Rescheduled, postponed, simulated but never forgotten. That\u2019s the upcoming fight between Anthony Joshua and Kubrat Pulev on the 12th of December, in Wembley’s SSE Arena, London. Sky Sports Box Office will broadcast the event at…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":476,"featured_media":42086,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[116],"tags":[375,511,950,1076,1588,2028,2052,3390,3538,3769,4026,5062,5464,5818,5841,6175,6347,6538,6652,6851],"class_list":["post-42082","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sport","tag-aj","tag-anthony-joshua","tag-boxing","tag-bulgaria","tag-covid-19","tag-eddie-hearn","tag-elbc","tag-joshua","tag-kubrat-pulev","tag-london","tag-matchroom","tag-pulev","tag-sbc","tag-sport","tag-sse-arena","tag-the-cobra","tag-tier-2","tag-uk","tag-vbc","tag-wembley"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/thevoiceoflondon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42082","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/thevoiceoflondon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/thevoiceoflondon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/thevoiceoflondon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/476"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/thevoiceoflondon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=42082"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/thevoiceoflondon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42082\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/thevoiceoflondon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/42086"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/thevoiceoflondon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=42082"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/thevoiceoflondon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=42082"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/thevoiceoflondon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=42082"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}