British boxer Anthony Joshua waits for the start of a heavyweight championship boxing match against Andy Ruiz Saturday, June 1, 2019, in New York. Ruiz stopped Joshua in the seventh round. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)Frank Franklin II/Associated Press

Anthony Joshua vs. Kubrat Pulev Fight Postponed Because of Coronavirus

Adam WellsApr 3, 2020

The heavyweight championship bout between Anthony Joshua and Kubrat Pulev has been postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Matchroom Boxing announced the news Friday, adding the promotion was looking into new dates:

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The Joshua-Pulev bout was originally scheduled to take place on June 20 in London at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

In December, Joshua (23-1) had a dilemma because in the span of two days he received formal orders from the WBO to make a mandatory title defense against Oleksandr Usyk and from the IBO to make a mandatory title defense against Pulev.

On March 2, Joshua officially announced he would defend the WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles against Pulev.

Pulev (28-1) has won eight straight fights to earn his shot at the title. His last loss was against Wladimir Klitschko for the IBF, The Ring and lineal heavyweight championships in November 2014.

Joshua defeated Andy Ruiz Jr. in December to regain his titles after being knocked out in their first bout last June.