Anthony Joshua vs Kubrat Pulev will have a crowd of 1000 fans in attendance with tickets due to go on sale on Friday morning (December 4).
Joshua (23-1) defends his IBF, WBA and WBO world heavyweight titles against the 39-year-old Bulgarian (28-1) at the SSE Arena, Wembley on Saturday December 12.
It had looked for a long time that the fight would have to take place behind closed doors. But a recent relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions on sporting events means fans will now be allowed into the London venue.
Joshua vs Pulev tickets on sale December 4
The Pulev fight is the first outing for Joshua in the UK since September 2018, when he stopped Alexander Povetkin in front of a huge crowd at Wembley Stadium. Since then he has lost and regained his titles against Andy Ruiz Jr. Their first bout was in New York in June 2019, while the rematch took place in Saudi Arabia in December 2019.
Tickets priced at £100, £200, £300, £500 and £1,000 (VIP) available to purchase via AXS (www.axs.com) and StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk) on Friday December 4 at 1000 GMT.
Strict safety measures and guidelines will be in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19:
- The lead booker can only attend with members of their own household (ID including address will be required on entry).
- Matchroom Boxing are participating in the NHS Test and Trace scheme. Lead booker details will be collected and shared for this in line with legal guidelines, and NHS Track & Trace check-in codes will be in place for fans to scan at entrances.
- You must not attend an event if you have tested positive for Covid-19, are required to self-isolate or have suffered from Covid-19 symptoms within 14 days of the event.
- You must wear a face covering at all times during your visit to The SSE Arena, Wembley (if you’re medically able to do so and aged 11+). They can be safely removed when you’re seated to eat or drink.
- Tickets must not be resold.
- No refund policy
Joshua vs Pulev will be showed on pay-per-view by Sky Sports Box Office in the UK at a price of £24.95. Streaming platform DAZN meanwhile will have the rights in more than 200 territories globally – including the United States.
Fury showdown on horizon, if AJ defeats Pulev
There is much at stake for AJ, as he plots the path to an enormous showdown with Tyson Fury next summer. Should he overcome Pulev, the route to that unification battle would be much clearer.
There is still one slight fly in the ointment – the WBO title. Oleksandr Usyk is mandatory and pushing hard for an immediate title shot. This could mean Joshua would have to vacate the belt if he wants to meet Fury after Pulev.
Joshua’s promoter, Matchroom supremo Eddie Hearn, is delighted to have fans back at boxing events in the UK.
He said: “I can’t tell you how happy I am to see fans returning to our live boxing events. Whilst the team have done an incredible job over the last 10 months we live and breathe through the energy and atmosphere that a live crowd generates.
“It’s so fitting that they can return for an AJ fight, when through the last few years he has broken all kinds of attendance records in the U.K. and beyond. This is such a positive move for boxing and all sport. Welcome back!”
