Kubrat Pulev, mandatory challenger to Anthony Joshua, reigning world heavyweight champion, has warned the British boxer to “either fight or vacate the title”.
The Bulgarian professional boxer was scheduled to meet Joshua on June 20, but the fight was postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
But there are continuous rumours of a possible unification bout between Joshua and Tyson Fury, slayer of Deontay Wilder.
Pulev appeared to have been angered by any suggestion that he could step aside and allow Joshua take on Fury.
“I can’t understand why we are still postponing instead of fixing a date and venue and getting to work?,” BBC quote Pulev, who previously stepped aside due to injury in 2017, to have asked.
“Enough is enough. I can’t wait to win this fight. I see how people are afraid of me and are trying to face someone else before me. That’s not how a real world champion should act.”
Joshua holds the IBF, WBA and WBO belts and wants Fury’s WBC belt.
However, it seems both boxers would have to wait for the unification chance because their challengers are not ready to step aside — especially a tough talking Pulev — despite the possibility of earning money without fighting.
“I did it once when I didn’t have to do it for Joshua to have his second match against Ruiz Jr. Everything was against IBF’s rules, but I compromised,” Pulev continued.
“A year has passed and they always have a reason to postpone, not to fight against me. There are two options. You either fight or vacate the title.”
The 30-year-old British-Nigerian boxer was initially due to fight Pulev at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium in October 2017. The Bulgarian, however, withdrew after suffering a shoulder injury during sparring.
