Joshua vs Pulev on a boat? Arum on Hearn plan

Bob Arum has responded to Eddie Hearn’s plan to possibly hold Anthony Joshua vs Kubrat Pulev on a boat, likening the Matchroom supremo to Dr Seuss.

The American children’s author, political cartoonist, illustrator, poet, animator, screenwriter, and filmmaker had many creative strings to his bow, and Hearn has already shown his ability to adapt during lockdown by staging an eagerly-awaited Fight Camp in the palatial grounds of Matchroom’s Brentwood, Essex HQ.

Earlier this week he talked about where Joshua’s planned bout against International Boxing Federation (IBF) mandatory contender may take place later this year, saying: “I’ve got a few things up my sleeve. We’re talking about castles, plush hotels, maybe even on a boat.”

Arum – whose Top Rank co-promotes Bulgarian Pulev (28-1). responded by telling IFL TV: “Eddie Hearn – I mean he can’t stop talking. Maybe it could be on a boat, maybe it could be on a plane, maybe it could be on a train. Whatever it is, a rocket ship, who knows? Right now – like all of us – Eddie is stuck as to where to put that fight. It’s a very good fight, very interesting fight, but it’s very had to to it without spectators.

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“Maybe he does it in Royal Albert Hall for 1000 spectators, they get a special deal or something, he’ll figure it out, we’ll help him figure it out. But I know what he’s going through. And If it pleases him to spout off like he thinks he’s Dr Seuss – ‘you want your green eggs and ham on a plane or a train or a boat’ – he doesn’t hurt anybody doing that.”

Pulev is currently a clear outsider for the showdown – as big as 11/2 in places – while Joshua is as short as 1/10 to improve his professional record to 24-1 and close in on that potential dream all-British unification clash with Tyson Fury. Arum though, says nobody should write off his man.

“I think he has a real good chance to beat him and knock him out,” he claimed.

“I know that Joshua will go off a pretty large favourite and I usually don’t bet on boxing matches, but believe me I’ll place a good bet on that one.”