That would be even funnier than the Ruiz KO because it would severely agitate AJ's bum buddy Wlad if Pulev did what he couldn't. Wlad would have to cancel his one-world-feminist campaigning in Ukraine to challenge Pulev and simultaneously correct the Bulgarian for the notorious sexual harassment of a noblewoman in Murica. I think Pulev has more skill and a better chin but it's weird that his jab seems more powerful than his RH. His RH doesn't seem to really do anything when it lands on opponents. It's strange because he's a pretty big fellow and seems rather juiced at times. So I have a hard time imagining him KO'ing Joshua, but having said that, I had a very hard time imagining Ruiz doing it.
Pulev is tricky and skilled. He gave Wlad problems so I do think he will be problematic for Joshua too
Against a 39-year-old man who's not known for power? AJ needs to win this one cleanly. I do suspect the first Ruiz fight took away something important from AJ. Confidence.
And that's exactly why I don't think that AJ will attempt to make a statement in his future fights. I think that going forward he will start employing more of a pure boxing strategy and win fights comfortably then try to risk getting caught. I do think Pulev is there for the taking though - he attacks in straight lines so AJ simply needs to start measuring him as he rushes in behind his jab then walk him in to a right cross.
I could see Pulev giving AJ some trouble but I see a KO win for AJ at sometime. Pulev is close to great but imo just doesn't have enough whiskers for guys like Vlad and AJ. what would be interesting is Pulev vs Wilder as Pulevs jab and boxing abilities could potentially win lots of rounds and befuddle Wilder.
Pulev is going to lose against AJ, then he should look for a fight against Povetkin and Ortiz just for the records and finnish his career. If Joshua lands once on Pulev its over. Even H. Fury wobbled Pulev at one point, but he couldn't take advantage of it at all and lost in the end.
Don’t think he’s ever been peeled off the canvas, Pulev couldn’t get Hughie Fury out of there when he was injured and cut. Haters gon hate.
If AJ tries to box off the back foot it make it more difficult than it needs to. If he comes out and presses the action he takes him out soon as he lands his first straight right. Either way he stops him