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Watch the full video of the Anthony Joshua vs. Kubrat Pulev from the Joshua vs. Pulev above, courtesy of DAZN.
Joshua vs. Pulev was held on December 12 at the SSE Arena in London, England. Anthony Joshua (24-1) vs Kubrat Pulev (28-2) collided in a contest for the heavyweight title in the main event of the night, which was broadcast live on DAZN. Joshua was defending his WBA, IBF, WBO, IBO heavyweight titles in the contest. See more featured videos below.
For more information on Joshua vs. Pulev, check out Bad Left Hook’s live blog below.
Round 1: Hard touch of gloves before the bell rings, it shows cold aggression from both. Tentative first 30 seconds, then AJ throws a couple of punches, both short, finding range. Pulev throws a blow to the stomach. If Kubrat Pulev is 6’4 ”, I will eat my hat. Pulev jab to the body, Joshua one up. Nobody throwing a power shot in the first 90 seconds. Now two minutes, both of them just hitting a bit, then AJ finally unleashes a right hand but it doesn’t get there. Stay on the jab for the first round. Joshua’s jab was probably a bit more effective. Joshua 10-9
Round 2: It looks like AJ is ready to warm him up a bit, with more purpose at the beginning of the second, jabbing a little more often. Joshua throws shots with both hands, but Pulev blocks everything, basically. Joshua is busier right now, although he’s still more cautious. Pulev seeks to uncork some things, but does not take them home. Joshua’s jab is still the best among them so far. Joshua slowed down, Pulev didn’t force anything else. Joshua goes for the power shots, Pulev blocks them again. A little chat after the bell. Joshua 10-9, 20-18
Round 3: So far, this has mostly been AJ from last December, patient, a bit cautious, not taking big risks, and Pulev isn’t forcing him to do much more than Ruiz did then. Right hand and Pulev hurt! Pulev holds on and barks, but AJ is charging him! Joshua gets reckless, does not land clean things, Pulev DAMAGED AGAIN IN TWO UPPERCUTS! Pulev turns his back on the corner and is knocked down! Pulev still hurt after the eight count, 40 seconds left. Pulev drilled again and THIS TIME IS DOWN ON THE CANVAS! 10 seconds to the end of the round, Pulev trying to stay away. Joshua bombing again! Uppercuts and hooks, and Pulev will hear the bell, and he will take a slightly cheaper shot, and AJ will take a bigger shot! Joshua 10-7, 30-25
Round 4: Joshua is eager to do this, the referee admonishes them for the end of the third round. Joshua breaks the jab, follows with a right hand. Pulev’s legs are not completely there. You can’t get close enough to do anything in return, you need AJ to make a big mistake, and then you have to capitalize. Pulev leads 1-2, AJ backs down a bit. Joshua back to the jab. Joshua stuck with it, Pulev got his legs back a bit and AJ wasn’t dumb but it’s still his round. Joshua 10-9, 40-34
Round 5: Joshua continues to punch and control, then lands a good right hand, although not with all the weight he landed on. But a good and striking photo. Jab, jab, jab. Pulev just can’t find anything to capitalize on, but he’s getting way ahead of himself. Pulev tries a right hand, most choke, he threw it too close. Pulev tries another close right hand. Joshua with a punch to the body. Best round for Pulev, but hey. Joshua 10-9, 50-43
Round 6: Joshua throws a right hand early, doesn’t land. When AJ has to reset Pulev make looking for a way to get in there, but still having trouble. Pulev with a good jab, yet stiff. 1-2 Pulev misses, Joshua ducked. Joshua isn’t doing much this round, the last two, really. But Pulev still struggles to do the job himself. Pulev really unleashes a right, but again fails. It’s been very predictable, but at least he’s launching something that can make a difference if it gets there. Joshua with more punches, then misses an uppercut. He struggles with getting aggressive again in the clinch, Pulev throwing a lot of rabbit punches, AJ isn’t afraid to throw in the break, the referee doesn’t do anything either. Joshua 10-9, 60-52
Round 7: Joshua throws the uppercuts, about four of them, none flush. Pulev with another rabbit punch in the clinch. Joshua with a heavy blow again. Jabs to AJ’s body. Pulev back with his own stick. You are not giving this up. They both hit the body when they grab again. Joshua ONLY misses a great uppercut. More sting after the bell. The referee has decided to let him go. Somebody get a folding chair, let’s see how much we can make here. Joshua 10-9, 70-61
Round 8: Oh, the referee has had it! And no fighter gives a shit, really. Pulev with a solid forehand after action resumes. Joshua to the body with the jab, but Pulev sees a small opening. Joshua returns to the body with the jab, Pulev misses a hook. Pulev has his best round, I shade it for him, but it certainly wasn’t clear or anything. Got a little more consistent work. Pulev 10-9, Joshua 79-71
Round 9: AJ back to the jab, he’s held onto it, and they’re getting hot early in the ninth. He’s really looking to deter Pulev again, stop any potential momentum Pulev has gained in the eighth. Joshua with a little hook. There’s the uppercut again, three or four more times. They’re not hitting totally clean, but Pulev is feeling them and that turns it off. RIGHT HAND AND PULEV IS INJURED! PULEV DOWN AGAIN IN UPPERCUT! Pulev got really hurt here, but he’s on his feet. PULEV DURO RIGHT IS DOWN! Pulev takes the count of 10, it’s over! Joshua KO-9
