Anthony Joshua stops Kubrat Pulev – how the boxing world reacted
December 13, 2020He’s back. And back in style.
More than two years after he last boxed on home soil, Anthony Joshua put on a fantastic show on his return to the United Kingdom.
The WBA, WBO and IBF world heavyweight champion stopped Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev in the ninth round at Wembley Arena, London.
Going into the fight, many of us were wondering which ‘AJ’ we would see.
The explosive, powerful combination puncher who raced to a world title in just his 16th professional fight?
The vulnerable, dazed fighter who was stopped and shocked by Andy Ruiz in June 2019?
Or the technically astute boxer who demonstrated his ring intelligence to avenge that defeat six months later?
- ‘At last I can get him in the ring’ – Joshua responds to Fury knockout taunt
- Joshua v Pulev: All the action as it happened
- ‘Joshua sets up super-fight’ – 5 Live Boxing reacts
- Listen to BBC Radio 5 Live commentary highlights of the fight
The fans return
When AJ beat Wladimir Klitschko in 2017, a post-war record of 90,000 fans crammed into Wembley Stadium. On Saturday night, just 1,000 fortunate spectators were allowed inside Wembley Arena.
Hand sanitizing, face marks, and social distancing – it was a whole new experience for the boxing fans in attendance…
