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Joshua ready to face Carlos despite Pulev’s dramatic pull out

 

IBF and WBA heavyweight champion Joshua is set to take on Bulgaria’s Kubrat Pulev at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on October 28.
But Pulev suffered a shoulder injury in sparring, forcing him to pull out of the fight with Cameroonian-French boxer Takam taking his place.
Promoter Eddie Hearn says the situation puts Joshua is a ‘difficult position’ as he now has to shift his focus to a ‘completely different’ fighter.
But Hearn insists the 28-year-old superstar will be prepared next Saturday.
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“This hasn’t happened in his career before but he is ready for all comers”
“I received a call from [promoter] 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.
“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 [on Monday 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,” He said.
Joshua’s last fight was in April when he produced a stunning display to knock out Ukrainian legend Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley.


Who is Joshua’s opponent Carlos Takam?

The Cameroonian Carlos Takam – who stands five inches shorter than AJ – may be a relatively unknown name for fight fans in the UK, but he has been a mainstay in the heavyweight division for over a decade.
The 19-0 Brit, 28, was set to fight Kubrat Pulev on October 28 in the mandatory defence of his IBF title.
But the Bulgarian pulled out last night after suffering a shoulder injury in training, prompting Takam to replace him.
Boasting an impressive 39-3 record, the 36-year-old is a KO specialist – winning 27 bouts before going the full distance.
One of his most destructive victories came against Marcin Rekowski in January.
Takam finished off a devastating barrage of punches in the fourth round with a brutal left hook – sending the Polish boxer crumpling to the ground.
Such was the force of the knockout, the referee immediately called for Rekowski to receive medical attention and he remained motionless for several minutes, before eventually being pulled to his feet.
The Orthodox boxer’s next fight came against Ivica Bacurin, who followed a similar fate to his predecessor.
Punches after punches were connected with terrifying precision, before the Croat’s legs collapsed – gifting Takam a second-round victory.
But Joshua may be most interested in Takam’s fight with undefeated Kiwi, Joseph Parker, to fully gauge how to take him on.
The boxer suffered his third loss against Parker, but managed to take it the distance – losing only on points – to show he can rub shoulders with the bigger names of the sport.
Despite his experience in the division, Betfair reckon Joshua will comfortably win with the Briton 1/50 heavy favourite.

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