Joshua to fight Pulev to defend heavyweight world titles

Anthony Joshua said he felt “honoured” to be topping the bill in the first professional boxing event at the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after it was announced he would defend his world heavyweight titles at the north London football ground against Kubrat Pulev on June 20.

Joshua, 30, regained the WBA, IBF and WBO titles with a unanimous points win over Andy Ruiz Jr in Saudi Arabia in December.

That victory saw the Londoner avenge the first defeat of his professional career, in New York last June.

On June 20, I am defending my heavyweight world titles, said Joshua in a statement posted on Tottenham’s website on Monday.

I’m back in my home city after some time away. A spectacular stadium has been built in North London and I’m honoured to bring the boxing community from all over the world to witness us make history with the stadium’s first heavyweight world title fight.

The belts go back up in the air and nothing will stop me from being victorious, added Joshua ahead of his first bout in the UK since he defeated Alexander Povetkin at Wembley in September, 2018.