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Well, this sucks.
IBF mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev has suffered a shoulder injury less than two weeks before his title shot against Anthony Joshua. As a result, Joshua will instead face Carlos Takam, the next man down on the sanctioning body’s rankings.
Update.. Kubrat Pulev has a shoulder injury and is out. IBF install IBF No.3 Carlos Takam as mandatory..deal done to fight AJ on October 28
— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) October 16, 2017
Hearn reportedly had a deal with Takam to be on standby when the Pulev fight was first signed, so he’s had time to prepare
Takam (35-3-1, 27 KO) is 2-0 over rancid competition since losing a competitive decision to Joseph Parker in May of 2016. He’s a capable heavyweight by any definition, but he is a full eight years older and more than four inches shorter than Joshua.
He’s tricky, though, I’ll give him that.
And yes, before you ask, this is still a pay-per-view.