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According to a report by RingTV, a source claims that unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is nearing a deal to make his mandatory title defense against the IBF’s No. 1 contender Kubrat Pulev. The two men are said to be putting the finishing touches on a deal that would have them square off on October 28.
The fight is most likely to be held in England, but Las Vegas is still on the table. Joshua also owes a mandatory defense to the WBA’s top rated Luis ‘King Kong’ Ortiz, but Ortiz looks like he’s going to have to wait his turn for the time being.
Realistically Ortiz poses a much more significant threat to Joshua than Pulev, whose best win since getting knocked out by Wladimir Klitschko has been a split decision over win over Dereck Chisora last year. But maybe that’s exactly why that fight is on the backburner for now.