Anthony Joshua vs Pulev LIVE REACTION: AJ wins after BRUTAL KO, Fury fight wanted next – latest updates

FROCH CONCERN

Carl Froch has qustioned why Anthony Joshua was reluctant to mention Tyson Fury after his KO won against Kubrat Pulev.

The Sky Sports pundit said: "The only concern I have, you just said it there.

"Eddie Hearn said it, but Anthony Joshua didn't say it. He kind of refused to say it.

"I don't know at what point, why he wouldn't want to say, 'That's the one.'

"He asked the crowd."

BATTLE OF BRITAIN

Anthony Joshua's epic Battle of Britain fight against Tyson Fury is one step closer after beating Kubrat Pulev last night.

But the Brit champions and their teams have a way to go before boxing fans can see the fight they have longed for for years.

Joshua, 31, stopped Pulev, 39, with a brutal straight right in the ninth round just moments after the Bulgarian had hauled himself off the canvas after a flurry of right upper cuts.

It was an entertaining and ill-tempered affair but fan focus immediately switched to the Fury clash after the bout.

However the potential third rematch with the Bronze Bomber is sticking point No1 which threatens to heed any Battle of Britain plans.

Click HERE to see the potential issues standing in the way of the mega unification bout.

DREAM TEAM

Take a look at Anthony Joshua's celebrations inside his changing room last night.

ODDS ON

Tyson Fury is the favourite to be the next man to face Anthony Joshua in the ring.

Bookmakers Ladbrokes have priced the Gypsy King at 11/8 to face AJ next.

Ukrainian star Oleksandr Usyk follows in second place at 2/1, with Deontay Wilder (11/4), Dillian Whyte (5/1), Alexander Povetkin (9/1) and Joe Joyce (9/1) coming in after.

Ladbrokes spokesperson Alex Apati said: "Fans are crying out for AJ v Fury and they may well get their wish early next year if the latest odds are anything to go by."

TOUGH TALKS

Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury's reps will begin negotiations over a blockbuster heavyweight title unification fight on Monday.

Speaking after AJ's win against Kubrat Pulev, his promoter Eddie Hearn said: "Starting from tomorrow, we make the Tyson Fury fight straight away.

"It's the only fight to be made in boxing. It is the biggest fight in British boxing history.

"I know he (Joshua) wants it, He is the best heavyweight in the world. I promise you. He'll break him down, he'll knock him out."

Meanwhile Bob Arum tweeted: "It looks like the stage is set for the biggest Heavyweight championship fight since Ali-Frazier in 1971, when @Tyson_Fury meets @anthonyfjoshua for the undisputed crown.

"We at Top Rank will start on Monday working to put that fight together."

BATTLE OF BRITAIN

Focus has turned to AJ vs Fury - but despite it being a Battle of Britain, will it actually take place here?

The first fight is expected to be abroad, but the second is set to be on home soil.

So what are the options?

Wembley Stadium, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Old Trafford, Principality Stadium and Emirates Stadium will all be in the running.

ANTHONY JOSHUA OPENS UP FURTHER ON HIS VICIOUS KO WIN

He said: "What can I say, this is the fight game, at the same time I’m not in competition with anyone apart from myself.

"I’m staying true to myself, learning every day, I get older, I get wiser, I learn that this boxing game is chess and not checkers. I play a smart game and I make the right moves at the right time.

"Round nine, I got the knockout and onto the next."

WHO SHOULD 'AJ' FIGHT NEXT?

Make no mistake about it, the fight everyone wants to see is Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury.

But Joshua's hesitancy to call out 'The Gypsy King' has undoubtedly cast doubt over his eagerness to take the fight.

Is he thinking about a mandatory title defence against heavyweight rookie Oleksandr Usyk? That's unclear.

But one thing is for sure: he needs to make his next move known to the public and fast.

And if that's a fight against Fury, he should do it double quick time.

ANTHONY JOSHUA'S POST-FIGHT INTERVIEW

In case you missed Anthony Joshua's post-fight interview, which received a scathing reaction from Tyson Fury, here it is.

Was it mind games from 'AJ' not to mention Fury? Maybe.

One thing is for sure, though. Fury is champing at the bit to settle the long-running debate over who is the best heavyweight on the planet.

OVER THE MOON

Eddie Hearn couldn't contain his delight at Anthony Joshua's demolition of Kubrat Pulev.

Just look at that cheeser.

EARLY JOSHUA VS FURY PREDICTION

It seems that Tyson Fury's uncle - Peter - is leaning towards 'The Gypsy King' winning his long-awaited Battle of Britain with Anthony Joshua.

He said: “Be a great fight. Both up for it, aren’t they? So it’ll be a great fight if it happens. Both have different styles though, Tyson is a totally different style to Pulev.

“It would be a great fight. Those shots [AJ landed tonight] wouldn’t be landing on Tyson so clean. Listen, he’s an exceptional talent himself. But if AJ can land, anyone is going down.

“But the same for Tyson – he’s a puncher as well. So it works both ways. It’s a pick’em fight to be honest.”

NOT IMPRESSED

Anthony Joshua's old rival Dillian Whyte was far from blown away by the Olympian's performance against the durable Kubrat Pulev.

He said: "Good win, decent performance, good knockout.

“Strange performance, it seems that he was stuck between two or three different styles.

“He’s got three different trainers in his camp, I don’t understand what’s going on there.

“But he got the victory so you can’t really complain.”

UNLIKELY PALS

Here's a pic you never thought you'd see.

Anthony Joshua, Floyd Mayweather... and Declan Rice!

THE CHAMP SENDS A MESSAGE TO FANS

It's safe to say Anthony Joshua was happy to be fighting back on British soil.

Let's hope it's not too long before we see him back in the ring.

AJ-FURY NEGOTIATIONS TO BEGIN ON MONDAY

Tyson Fury's American promoter Bob Arum has revealed he plans to open talks with Anthony Joshua's rep Eddie Hearn on Monday over the long-awaited Battle of Britain.

This is the only fight to make.

Let's hope both parties can come to a mutual agreement and we can see the biggest fight in British boxing history take place next year.

COMPLETED IT

AJ takes a swing at the poster of Pulev post fight.

After rocking Pulev in an electric third round, the Bulgarian did well to steady himself and carry on, but was dropped twice in the ninth, and couldn't get up the second time.

GET IT DONE

It's the fight everybody wants to see.

An Anthony Joshua bout against Tyson Fury at Wembley would be a fight for the ages.

Let's just hope it happens next year, with a capacity crowd to see it.

BOXING GREATS

Floyd Mayweather and Anthony Joshua exchanging words after the fight tonight.

Floyd 'Money' Mayweather's appearance tonight was a surprise to everyone, but he was rewarded for flying over for the fight with some fireworks from AJ.

WORDS FROM THE CHAMP

Anthony Joshua takes to Twitter after his TKO of Kubrat Pulev.

WARRIORS

Anthony Joshua and Kubrat Pulev react after AJ's ninth round victory.

WINNER

Anthony Joshua takes in the cheers of the crowd as he makes his way back to his dressing room.

AJ VS FURY?

This is what Eddie Hearn has to say on the matter:

"We know what we have to do, starting from tomorrow we make the Tyson Fury fight straight away.

"It's the only fight to be made in boxing, it's the biggest fight in boxing, it's the biggest fight in British boxing history."

FURY REACTS

Tyson Fury was quick to react to AJ's victory on social media.

"I want the fight, I want the fight next, I'll knock him out inside three rounds."

MOOD

Pulev was tough as nails... but AJ got the job done.

AJ & FLOYD

Look who Joshua went straight over to after his win...