Seeing as how it looks as though Wilder will invoke the trilogy clause, AJ/Pulev is a guarantee. What do we make of this fight? Do we give Pulev a chance? I personally think it's a decent mandatory fight and I'll happily watch it. AJ should do the business but there's question marks over how he approaches future fights weight wise and tactically. His his last two performances consisted of a bad beating and an uncharacteristic back peddling performance where he was afraid to engage the opponent. Does he put the weight back on and come forward? Does he try box and move against Pulev who is almost as big as him? Pulev is getting old unfortunately but he's a big, decent fighter who will surely put everything into this fight. Wladimir Klitschko dealt with him easily but Klitschko looked unbeatable at the time and he hits harder than AJ. I don't think AJ will deal with Pulev as easily and if he does, all credit to him. It'll be a solid win. I can't 100% confidently pick AJ against any of the top ten until he properly shakes off the demons of Ruiz 1. AJ's greatest strength is his hard hitting combinations that result in finishes. For me, he's not back to his best until we see them used effectively again. I don't think he can box and move effectively for 12 rounds against guys his size who can box. AJ needs to hurt these men when they come in.
I think he can afford to come in like a tank in the 18 stone bracket for this one. He doesn’t need any elusiveness here, he should hold the centre of the ring, work behind the jab and catch him with the right hand. Pulev won’t offer any difficult angles, speed or high work rate. It will be a pedestrian pace. I like Pulev but he’s knocking on now and I just think stylistically he is tailor made for Joshua who will starch him. I want to see a dominant, confidence building display from Joshua.
Pulev is an underrated fighter, arguably has best jab in divison and clinches effectively. Although Pulev's lack of head movement and moving forward and backward in vertical lines will make it too easy for AJ to find home for his jabs and hooks. Pulev also doesn't have a granite chin like Ruiz and Parker. I see AJ fighting with a similar style as he did with Wlad (but not experiencing the trouble Wlad gave him) which similar to style Wlad used to beat Pulev. I am predicting a 4- 7 round KO win by AJ.
I would advise AJ to come in heavier too. You saw with the Fury Wilder fight that giving away 2.5 stone to Fury is no joke. Fury will tip the scales 19+ and be able to fight his style for 12 rounds comfortably
This will be a competitive fight for 3-4 rounds if Pulev fights behind his jab and doesnt take unnecessary risks. Then AJ catches him with something big, and the damage catches up with him and the gameplan goes out of the window. After that AJ drops him, beats him up and its waved off. AJ stops Pulev in under 8 rounds. If Pulev comes in like he did against Wlad and goes for a shoot out, then its over even earlier. This version of Pulev is 6 years older than the version that lost to Wlad. But I did like to see how he dealt with the skirt, he still has it.
Joshua should make short work of Pulev. A 38 year old Wlad knocked a 33 year old Pulev out in 5 rounds. Pulev will be 39 against a 30 year old Joshua. Do the math. If Joshua's any good at all, and I think we all agree he is, he should get Pulev out of there inside 5 rounds too. I think he can do it inside 3. Pulev is made to order for him.
Decent IBF mandatory like @Hattonmad stated and a technically good opponent for Joshua but Pulev just too old, too slow and someone whose hung around just to cash out with a title shot. Hopefully AJ makes a statement with an early stoppage.
Pulev is a long way over the hill now. He is slow, one paced and predictable and comes in and out on rails. Easy one for Joshua. I still don't reckon it will happen though. The fury and Joshua camps are both trying to do step aside deals and none of the so called Governing Bodies are going to turn their noses up and the sanctioning fees they are likely to see from a Fury v Joshua fight.
As others have said, AJ needs to command the centre of the ring, get his jab off, start timing Pulev, and break him down. Unless Pulev shows great heart and keeps getting up, AJ should have him out of there by the 5th. As the OP mentioned, this fight could tell us a lot about where AJ is mentally and how he approaches future fights tactically. Will he fight like he did in the Ruiz rematch from now on, or will he change his tactics depending upon his opponent? Hopefully the latter. Until we see otherwise, I'll put his unwillingness to engage in the Ruiz rematch down to him knowing he couldn't beat Ruiz on the inside (as the first fight proved). After that first fight, from the moment he stepped back into the gym, McCracken would have drilled it into him to stay on the outside, and if Ruiz gets in close, either grab him or get out of dodge. Add in the fact that Ruiz was much fatter and slower in the rematch, then AJ's ultra conservative approach was, yes, boring, but tactically the right choice. If AJ does decide to fight conservatively from now on it could effect his popularity, and more importantly, it will hinder his chances of beating Fury and Wilder, if Wilder can rebuild and get back to the top. AJ showed us things many thought he couldn't do in the Ruiz rematch, but those tactics won't work over the long haul against Fury and Wilder.
Joshua stoppage mid rounds I think. Not a bad fight and one I’ll definitely watch but Pulev’s a few years past his best and AJ will want/need a big performance
This was a decent fight a few years ago but Pulev has been lingering around for the paycheck realistically. Should be easy enough work and no complications really needed here. Pulev TKO 3