Anthony Joshua hopes to welcome fans for title clash against Pulev

World heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is hopeful that boxing followers shall be allowed at The O2 in London when he defends his IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO titles towards Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev on Dec. 12.

Joshua, 31, was scheduled to defend his belts towards IBF necessary challenger Pulev on June 20 however the battle was postponed because of the COVID-19 outbreak.

The rescheduled bout would be the Briton’s first on dwelling soil in over two years however he could should compete behind closed doorways.

“The O2 is the original lion’s den, I have a lot of history with the arena, but without the fans something huge is missing,” Joshua mentioned.

Plans for the return followers at stadiums for elite sporting occasions from October have been placed on maintain by the federal government amid an increase within the novel coronavirus instances within the United Kingdom.

“I am really hoping that, safety permitting, we might be able to bring some boxing fans in, but we will have to see,” Joshua added.

“I respect every opponent and I respect Pulev. I wish him well during his preparation.”

Joshua regained his titles from Andy Ruiz Jr with a unanimous factors victory in Saudi Arabia final December.

A shoulder damage pressured Pulev out of a scheduled battle towards Joshua at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium in October 2017 however he stays optimistic about pulling off a shocking victory.

“For a small country of Bulgaria to stand up for the heavyweight titles is a great accomplishment,” mentioned Pulev.

“This fight is for my late father and all Bulgarians around the world! I’m coming to London to seize the heavyweight championship of the world.”