Joshua vs Pulev

Pulev is somewhere around 190cm-191cm. His height is definitely overstated by about an inch and a half. However, he's a natural heavyweight. He's heavier than he looks. A bit like a prime Danny Williams who could've passed for about 20lbs lighter than he actually was.

I remember being taken aback by Pulev's conditioning for the Hughie Fury bout. Clearly had made some "changes". I think he's been like that ever since.

 

I don't care about Joshua vs Fury anymore so if Pulev has "a lucky punch from the gods" in him let's hope he can unleash it on Saturday

 

Good point about the Hughie fight. I was taken aback by his physique in that fight. Looked very suspicious to be honest. I’ve been of the opinion that Pulev is taylor made for Joshua but if he comes in in that shape again it might take Joshua a few more rounds than I thought to pin him down.

Pulev isn’t the biggest puncher nor does he put them together. He tends to throw the right hand once then fall into the clinch which I think is shown in his KO ratio.

Do we have any inkling how heavy Joshua is likely to be for this fight? If he comes in light again I think that’s the best option for Pulev, imo he was too stiff and heavy prior to Ruiz 2.

 

They're all on the hot sauce, but it was interesting to me that a guy like Pulev, who was always in good shape anyway, came in looking so lean for the first time in his career aged about 36 or 37.

I agree with your assessment. I wasn't looking forward to this in 2017 and I'm not looking forward to it now. Pulev is just too upright and stiff.

I reckon Joshua will weigh in at something like 240/241lbs. I just had a look at Pulev's boxrec and he has been about 8lbs heavier in his last two bouts than the Hughie Fury bout at 240lbs. Both will weigh similarly.

 

I see Aj taking this quite comfortably

 

I do...but why does Arum seem totally adamant and confident that his fighter is going to beat Joshua on Saturday? I know Pulev is his fighter but he doesn’t normally go all in on what appears to be a well past his best Pulev.

 

Big Bob has been a big cheerleader for Pulev for years. He's wanted a title fight for a long time and has been campaigning that Pulev is one of the best.

 

Isn’t that a bit strange...I wonder what he sees in him.

 

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This video is priceless. Especially 3:45 onward. I've watched it a few times. He's like a Simpsons character, the look and that accent.

I'm also at a loss as to what he sees in Pulev. Odd.

 

Yeah, I don't think Pulev is bad by any stretch and he's been a top 10 heavyweight for years without ever having a marquee win. Pulev is a weird one, he does a lot of things good but nothing great at all. He hits hard enough to hurt you, but not a concussive puncher. His defence is good enough to avoid wild swings, but you can still find him regularly. He's not a slow as others in the top 10, but nowhere near as fast as the best boxers in the division.

Personally, I think AJ is going to absolutely bounce him. I don't mind Pulev, but he's been waiting for the big cash out bout for a while. I don't see it going past 6, but my own actual prediction is AJ in 3. He will move early, throwing a couple one twos and will figure out that he can land and get out without being hit back. He'll open up early and I would predict Pulev won't like it and will very quickly get beat up.

 

Eddie really spoiling us.

Betting every home fighter on his STACKED PPV card would return at 11/10.

No wonder boxing is ****ed

 

If you look at Pulev's career since loosing to Wlad he's not really beaten anyone you would have as world class.

Del Boy a good solid pro but always beaten by the best, Hugie who is young and the jury isn't settled on, a shot as hell Sam Peter who's legs were in concrete and Rydell Booker.

Pulev is sold doesn't do loads wrong but all the advantages are with the younger bigger man. I can see a battle of the jab early and then Aj upping the power shots as he gets his range but he might want to in guns blazing and try and counter Pulev jabs with something big like the Martin fight - different quality of opponent I know.

I wouldn't mind betting AJ has been working on his uppercut in case Pulev does look to fall in and hold after the right hand over the top.

 

I don't think Arum genuinely rates Pulev. He'd probably be devastated if he won and scuppered the Fury fight.

This isn't really a contest. Goes to show just how much PPV has been normalised that a glorified tune up/stay busy type of fight will not only be bought but also in large quantities.

 

Pulev had a pickem with HUGH fury a few years back. That’s his level. Another in a long line of tier two/tier three scrubs for AJ to tee off on.

Eddie Hearns dusted down the classic “Whyteleafe, Martin, breazele, molina, takam, Parker, shot old VLADDYMIR, Ruiz” at the presser yesterday, haven’t heard that for a while and it’s aged badly, fury’s two fights against Wilder trump AJs ten best fights it’s that simple.

 

Just caught up with some of the videos from fight week. AJ looks in great shape, mentally and physically. He’s proper focussed. I think Pulev although he is past it, he’s not getting the respect he deserves.

However I see a demolition job here. 4-6.