FIGHT WEEK
Anthony Joshua vs. Kubrat Pulev headlines another busy boxing schedule on both sides of the Atlantic.
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ANTHONY JOSHUA (23-1, 21 KOs)
VS. KUBRAT PULEV (28-1, 14 KOs)
- When: Saturday, Dec. 12
- Where: Wembley Arena, Wembley, England
- TV/Stream: DAZN
- Division: Heavyweight (12 rounds)
- At stake: Joshua’s IBF, WBA and WBO titles
- Pound-for-pound ranking: None
- Odds: Joshua 7½-1 (BetMGM)
- Also on the card: Lawrence Okolie vs. Krzysztof Glowacki, 12 rounds, cruiserweights (for vacant WBO title); Hughie Fury vs. Mariusz Wach, 10 rounds, heavyweights; Martin Bakole vs. Sergey Kuzmin, 12 rounds, heavyweights; Souleymane Cissakho vs. Kieron Conway, 10 rounds, junior middleweights
- Prediction: Joshua KO 9
- Background: Joshua has had an eventful past year and a half. He lost his titles to Andy Ruiz Jr. by a stunning knockout in June of last year only to regain them by a wide decision in the rematch six months later. COVID-19 hit. The fight with Pulev was pushed back a few times because of the pandemic. And this happened amid the backdrop of a potential showdown between Joshua and Tyson Fury. Ruiz took Joshua’s heart and then his titles by a seventh-round knockout in the shocking first fight with Joshua. The Londoner righted his ship in the second fight but he fought tentatively, leaving lingering questions about his mental toughness. However, there’s no doubting his abilities. The oddsmakers believe he’ll get past Pulev, which could set up the huge meeting between him and Fury. Pulev is a 39-year-old from Bulgaria who lost his only world title fight, a fifth-round knockout against Wladimir Klitschko in 2014. He’s 8-0 since then and has beaten some good opponents, including Derek Chisora and Samuel Peter. Plus, he won’t be dwarfed by the 6-foot-6 Joshua. Pulev is 6-4½ and should weigh about the same as the champion. The 7½-1 odds are long but this is a competitive fight on paper.
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SHAKUR STEVENSON (14-0, 8 KOs)
VS. TOKA KHAN CLARY (28-2, 19 KOs)
- When: Saturday, Dec. 12
- Where: MGM Grand, Las Vegas
- TV/Stream: ESPN
- Division: Junior lightweight (10 rounds)
- At stake: No titles
- Pound-for-pound ranking: None
- Odds: NA
- Also on the card: Felix Verdejo vs. Masayoshi Nakatani, lightweights; Edgar Berlanga vs. Ulises Sierra, 8 rounds, super middleweights; Clay Collard vs. Quincy LaVallais, 8 rounds, middleweights.
- Prediction: Stevenson KO 5
- Background: Stevenson, 23, is one of the most exciting young prospects in the world and already a former featherweight titleholder. The 2016 Olympic silver medalist has the natural gifts and ability to compete with anyone and the flair to garner the attention of fans. He is coming off a sensational sixth-round knockout of Felix Caraballo in June at the MGM Grand, his first fight at 130 pounds. He is ranked No. 1 by the WBO and No. 2 by the WBC, meaning a shot at a second world title is around the corner. Jamel Herring holds the WBO title, Miguel Berchelt the WBC belt. Clary, 28, is from Liberia but has lived in the United States since he was 6 years old. He lives in Providence, R.I. Clary also was an outstanding amateur (finishing a reported 119-11). He’s a skillful, quick-handed boxer with some power. He lost a clear decision to then-unbeaten Kid Galahad in 2018 but has won his three subsequent fights, including a second-round knockout of Jonathan Perez on Oct. 29. He’s good but this is a tough assignment for him.
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CHRIS COLBERT (14-0, 5 KOs)
VS. JAIME ARBOLEDA (16-1, 13 KOs)
- When: Saturday, Dec. 12
- Where: Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, Conn.
- TV/Stream: Showtime
- Division: Junior lightweight (12 rounds)
- At stake: Colbert’s WBA “interim” title
- Pound-for-pound ranking: None
- Odds: NA
- Also on the card: Ronald Ellis vs. Matvey Korobov, 10 rounds, middleweights; Richardson Hitchins vs. Argenis Mendez, 10 rounds, junior welterweights
- Prediction: Colbert UD
- Background: Colbert had an excellent amateur career, qualifying for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials before deciding to turn professional in part because he felt U.S. officials had decided that Shakur Stevenson would be selected in his weight class. He reportedly had an amateur record of 103-3. And he’s carried his success into the pro ranks, easily outboxing and/or stopping everyone he has faced, including a unanimous decision over Jezzrel Corrales in January. He’s ranked No. 1 by the WBA – and it’s “interim” titleholder – even though he has yet to beat a top-tier opponent. He could challenge WBA titleholder Leo Santa Cruz next year if things go well on Saturday. Arboleda, 26, is a solid boxer with eye-catching power from Panama. He suffered a shock third-round knockout loss against Recky Dulay in his U.S. debut in 2017 but has won his six fights since the setback, five by knockout. He’s coming of a split-decision victory over capable Jayson Velez in February. Colbert probably won’t have too much trouble if he can avoid getting caught by a big punch.