Kubrat Pulev gives honest opinion on Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul

Anthony Joshua’s former opponent Kubrat Pulev isn’t buying the hype around next week’s Miami showdown. The Bulgarian veteran threw shade at the Jake Paul versus Joshua matchup while locking in on his own heavyweight title defense.

Pulev recently dismissed the much-awaited heavyweight boxing bout as little more than entertainment, drawing a clear line between legitimate championship boxing and so-called celebrity spectacle.

The 44-year-old WBA regular champion has bigger fish to fry than thinking about YouTubers stepping into the squared circle.

Kubrat Pulev brands Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua fight a ‘circus’

The Cobra is eyeing a rematch against Anthony Joshua for next year after claiming he was sick during the buildup to their COVID-era clash in 2020. He’s got some serious unfinished business with AJ, but first things first.

Pulev showed almost zero interest in next week’s Netflix blockbuster debacle. Despite the growing hype, he sees it as little more than a stupid fight. But he didn’t completely write off Paul’s chances, noting that if the YouTuber-turned-prizefighter stays on the front foot and protected, he could have a chance.

Recently, in an exclusive interview with BloodyElbow, he shared his raw feelings about the Paul vs. Joshua showdown. He didn’t hesitate to brand it as a circus event, confirming he is just eyeing a rematch against Joshua next year.

“I’m always going to be ready for Anthony Joshua….,if he wins.” Pulev said. “It is all a show. It’s a circus. Of course, Jake has a chance but not a very big one. To be honest, I am focused on my own fight on Friday night.”

Not only Pulev, but it is a very common idea in the boxing community that Paul represents less substance but more spectacle due to his YouTube background. Meanwhile, Joshua represents a championship pedigree from the beginning.

So, for a fighter with Pulev’s resume, the choice is quite obvious. The Bulgarian fighter wants Joshua to avenge that ninth-round knockout loss from December 2020, when Joshua dropped him four times at Wembley. But right now, the Cobra’s got his own business to handle.

Pulev defends WBA title friday against Murat Gassiev

At the time of writing, Pulev is preparing to defend his WBA World Heavyweight title against Murat Gassiev at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium. This showdown is reportedly part of IBA Pro 13, a stacked card that was part of the inaugural IBA Festival of Boxing.

The 44-year-old is on a three-fight win streak, including an impressive decision win to capture the WBA crown against Manuel Charr. But Gassiev is not any lazy old-school opponent. 

The Russian power puncher holds a fearsome 32-2 record with 25 knockouts and a knockout rate over 78 percent. He wants to become Russia’s first heavyweight champion since Alexander Povetkin held the same WBA title from 2011 to 2013.

At Wednesday’s press conference, both heavyweights engaged in a tense staredown, which is in every way better than a celebrity crossover, according to Pulev. He is set to handle real championship business in Dubai, where Paul and Joshua draw attention with their Miami spectacle.