Joshua WILL fight Pulev this year but not in UK, says promoter Arum in blow to hopes of AJ v Fury showdown

PROMOTER Bob Arum has confirmed that Kubrat Pulev will not step aside from his fight with Anthony Joshua.

Some fans had been hoping that the Bulgarian could be convinced to give up his shot at the IBF, IBO, WBO and WBA heavyweight champ in order to allow AJ to fight Tyson Fury instead.

But Top Rank chief Arum, who represents the 39-year-old puncher, has poured cold water on the idea.

He told Bad Left Hook: “No step aside for Pulev.

Joshua, 30, was supposed to fight the IBF mandatory challenger on home soil at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on June 20.

But following its postponement in the wake of Covid-19, the fight will now to longer go ahead in the United Kingdom.

Arum has revealed that they are keeping their options open.

It’s probably not gonna take place until later this year. And definitely not the UK.

Bob Arum

He continued: “I talked to Eddie Hearn [Saturday] morning about Joshua vs Pulev.

“It looks like it can’t be the UK, because there couldn’t be spectators. There looks like there are a couple other possibilities.

“It’s probably not gonna take place until later this year. And definitely not the UK. Also, for Fury versus Wilder, that’s looking like the fourth quarter.”

Joshua hasn’t fought in the UK since September 2018, when he knocked out Alexander Povetkin in the seventh round in front of a packed Wembley Stadium.

His next fight was the ill-fated bout with Andy Ruiz Jr in New York, before he defeated the pudgy Mexican-American in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia in December.

Following Fury’s remarkable victory over Deontay Wilder in February, in which he claimed the WBC title from the American – fans have clamoured for a Battle of Britain unification bout between the Gypsy King and AJ.

But as well as Pulev, Wilder also stands in the way of the match-up.

The Bronze Bomber is contractually entitled to a trilogy fight with Fury, and despite having been well beaten in Las Vegas, will take up the opportunity to have another go at the Brit.