IBF champion and British boxing superstar Anthony Joshua (19-0) was almost derailed when his mandatory challenger, Kubrat Pulev, pulled out due to a shoulder injury in sparring. However, it was announced that Carlos Takam (35-3-1, 27 KOs) has replaced Pulev for the fight at Principality Stadium in Cardiff on October 28,which will be aired live on Showtime. The #3 rated Takam is from France and has been looking for a showdown with Joshua.
Takam’s most notable fight is a split draw he had with Mike Perez in 2014.
I received a call from Kalle Sauerland late afternoon to inform me that Pulev had injured his shoulder and maybe ruled out of the fight this was later confirmed by his doctor, said promoter Eddie Hearn. IBF rules state that the mandatory will go to the next fighter in line which is Carlos Takam.
When the Pulev fight was announced I made a deal with Takam’s team to begin camp and be on standby for this fight. When I called them this evening they were overjoyed and good to go. It’s a difficult position for AJ having prepared meticulously for the style and height of Pulev, he now faces a completely different style and challenge in Takam this hasn’t happened in his career before but he is ready for all comers on October 28.
Anthony Joshua vs. Wladimir Klitschko: Full Fight | SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING
Unified heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua defeated boxing legend Wladimir Klitschko via a spectacular come-from-behind knockout. Joshua returns to face mandatory challenger Carlos Takam on Saturday, October 28 live on SHOWTIME.
The fight is part of the major deal that Joshua has with Showtime. Joshua fought three times in 2016 and has knocked out all 19 opponents in his career, including his monumental KO over Wladimir Klitschko that set an attendance record of 90,000 at the O2 Arena.
Joshua is the 2012 London Olympics Gold Medalist that became champion when he dismantled Charles Martin in the second round to start 2016. The world has been clamoring for a clash between the champion and WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, who faces mandatory challenger Bermane Stiverne on November 4th at the Barclays Center.
The two are destined to meet in the future and with Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing, Joshua’s promoter, making aggressive moves like signing Danny Jacobs, it is pretty much a certainty.
Wilder is managed by Al Haymon and fights on the Premier Boxing Champions platform. Jacobs is also managed by Haymon but now promoted by Matchroom Boxing, which eliminates many barriers that typically stymie a great match.
