Kubrat Pulev (28-1, 14 KOs) will receive his second world heavyweight championship opportunity on Saturday when he challenges Anthony Joshua (23-1, 21 KOs) for his WBA, WBO and IBF titles. However, the Bulgarian's co-promoter Ivaylo Gotzev has explained how it took legal threats to ensure the fight will take place this year.
Several months ago, Joshua and WBC champion Tyson Fury agreed in principle to the financial terms for two fights against one another, with the prevailing belief that the duo would put pen to paper on those plans for 2021 if they got past Pulev and the man Fury dethroned, Deontay Wilder, first.
Of course, the COVID-19 pandemic which froze live boxing shortly after Fury's February title win over Wilder has thrown most of the sport's 2020 plans out of the window, with Fury all but giving up on a Wilder trilogy and the fight's Stateside promoter, Bob Arum, claiming that Wilder's right to a rematch has now expired .
It also looked like Joshua vs. Pulev could be put on the backburner by Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn, but Gotzev explained to Marc Gatway of Betway Insider how he and the rest of Pulev's team stood their legal ground until the Dec. 12 date was arranged.He said: “It got very close because things got confusing with the pandemic and they were looking to cash in on the biggest fight, I suppose.
“They figured they could make the Fury fight and that would be a big payday. But it turns out the Fury fight is challenged by the same reasons like no fans. Is one going to wait forever to get back to normal?
“So finally Matchroom and AJ did the right thing, but, yes, there was a time when they weren’t doing the right thing, concentrating on the Fury fight.
"I do understand how lucrative that fight would be for both sides, but boxing is a world-wide sport, and it’s not just about two heavyweights that happen to both be from the UK.
“Honestly we had a very strong legal position, all things considered, they had to take the proper challenge. There are certain rules that should be respected. We’ve waited three years to get back up the ladder.”
JOSHUA VS. PULEV: HOW TO WATCH, STREAMING, VENUE, FIGHTER BIOS
Pulev's other shot at becoming world champion came on Nov. 15, 2014, when he went up against long-reigning titleholder Wladimir Klitschko in Hamburg.
The fight was notable for being a departure from Klitschko's usual one-sided 12-round clinics, as Pulev breached the often-inpenetrable defence of the Ukrainian and forced open exchanges. Unfortunately for the challenger, "Dr. Steelhammer" still had the punch power to handle such a scenario, and won via fifth-round knockout.
Now 39, Pulev may not get a third chance to become world champion if he is unable to dethrone Joshua, who makes his first defence after regaining his belts from Andy Ruiz Jr. one year ago.
“This is everything he’s trained and lived for," said Gotzev. "His father wanted to have a son and he wanted him to become heavyweight champion of the world, and here we are fulfilling his father’s wishes.
“It really means a lot to Kubrat - it’s a family mission. But it’s wider than that too - he’s Bulgaria's hero. He’s the man of the hour here."
HEARN: JOSHUA HAS SPITEFUL INTENTIONS FOR PULEV
And if Pulev is able to pull it off, Gotzev does not see a reason why his man cannot take the Fury unification showdown in Joshua's place.“Kubrat will be right in Fury’s face, if he wins there would be a unification bout," he continued. "There’s nothing more fun than challenging Tyson Fury, who comes with a whole lot of circus acts. AJ is a young man, there will be plenty of time for him to come back around when he gets beat.”
Joshua vs. Pulev airs live Saturday Dec. 12 on Sky Sports Box Office in the U.K. and Ireland, and on DAZN elsewhere — including the U.S. — with a DAZN subscription.