Anthony Joshua: We Are Not Ducking, We Are Firing Back

By Shaun Brown

It was polite and respectful at today's press conference in Cardiff to announce Anthony Joshua's latest defence of his world heavyweight title.

The 27-year-old IBF, WBA and IBO belt holder will take on Bulgaria's Kubrat Pulev at Cardiff's Principality Stadium on Sky Sports Box Office. Promoter Eddie Hearn announced on Twitter today that 55,000 tickets will be going on general sale tomorrow.

Joshua will return to the ring six months after his greatest triumph when the unbeaten Brit stopped long-time heavyweight king Wladimir Klitschko in the penultimate round of their heavyweight thriller inside Wembley Stadium.

"Most definitely looking forward to get back in the ring, after April 29, question was when is next. I've been ticking over, training ever since I let my body recover," said the champion.

"I'm looking forward to expressing a different approach to my boxing skills, to show what I learnt from my last fight. It's about finesse, outclassing your opponents, I can got to war but I can do it at ease as well. Sometimes we have to go to the trenches. It's about character.

"Always different when you step in the ring, I'm an improved fighter and prepared for the toughest of challengers, it’s not about a statement."

Pulev, a former European Heavyweight champion and world title challenger to Wladimir Klitschko, said: ""I feel great. I feel ready, I feel very energised."

His trainer, 75-year-old Ulli Wegner is eager for the titles to come back to Germany where the Bulgarian heavyweight is based.

"There are not so many world champions in Germany and we have to do something about that."

Joshua's trainer, Robert McCracken predicted that his man would put on a spectacular performance after leaving no stone unturned. The former coach to Carl Froch was full of praise for Pulev too.

"Pulev is a top fighter, top three in anyone's ratings, tough division, some real quality fighters like AJ at the top. He is hugely experienced. AJ is still learning and improving, we will start sparring this week, it is about Pulev, his strengths and weaknesses and exploiting them.

"AJ will be in great shape and he will put on a spectacular performance."

Joshua who has been riding the proverbial crest of a wave since becoming IBF champion last year said he was honoured to be at the top of his game and to be an ambassador for the sport before adding:

“We are not ducking anyone, we are firing back, I want to keep these belts and I have to face the fighters in my way, forever learning and forever improving, each challenge is another hurdle.”