Joshua-Pulev fight at Castle or on boat?

Unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is still preparing for his upcoming latest fight with Kubrat Pulev. And now, the promoter for Joshua is considering all kinds of options for where the bout might be held with fans, including potentially, a castle in the UK or, even, on a boat?!

The London Evening Standard reported reported exclusively Tuesday afternoon the Matchroom Boxing promoter, Eddie Hearn, is looking into what he calls “quirky” ideas to have Joshua – Pulev in front of fans:

?️ "I’ve got a few things up my sleeve. We’re talking about castles, plush hotels, maybe even on a boat."

Anthony Joshua's latest world heavyweight title defence could be held on a boat, according to Eddie Hearn.

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Currently, Hearn would like to have the fight that was originally going to be at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in June, potentially, at the familiar O2 Arena venue in London late in 2020.

Hearn told the paper,

“By November, can we go to 16,000 people at the O2? Right now, we’re handcuffed by the regulations.”

The good news in the U.K. is the Covid 19 Pandemic has declined in new cases and deaths dramatically over the last six weeks. Still, it will be a challenge to have fights with fans, even socially distanced, anytime in the next 2-3 months, and the British Boxing Board of Control would have the approved guidelines.

Hearn also said to the London tabloid that Joshua-Pulev could be put in a unique place,

“Other ideas we have are 1,000 people somewhere strange and quirky. I’ve got a few things up my sleeve. We’re talking about castles, plush hotels, maybe even on a boat.

“These are all things thinking outside of the box — it just depends what’s allowed.” 

Joshua (23-1, 21 KOs) and the 38 year old Pulev, who is ranked #1 by the IBF, would battle in the WBA, WBO, and IBF title holder’s first fight, since he won his rematch on decision from American Andy Ruiz in December. Joshua is also rehabbing a slight left knee injury suffered last month in training. It is believed that the injury will not prevent him from being ready to fight this Fall.

Hearn and Matchroom will put on a series of fights known as “Fight Camp” starting the first weekend in August and for four successive weeks on the Matchroom Boxing headquarters property without fans in attendance.