ANTHONY JOSHUA is in talks to fight Kubrat Pulev in a breathtaking Roman ampitheatre in Croatia in August, according to the Bulgarian’s manager.
Pulev, 39, is IBF mandatory heavyweight challenger and prior to the global coronavirus pandemic was due to fight Joshua in North London on June 20.
But for the second time in their careers, AJ and the Bulgarian have been denied the chance of taking to the ring together.
However, despite the set back, Pulev’s manager Ivaylo Gotsev revealed talks are taking place for a bout at the stunning Pula Arena in northern Croatia.
After discussions with Joshua’s camp, he told local media: “We have given ourselves (two camps) four weeks to look for a new territory if the situation and measures in England do not change.
“We are discussing Croatia, there is a unique Roman stadium – the Pula Arena – and we are in active talks.”
Asked when the clash was likely to take place, Gotsev said either August or September.
The Adriatic city of Pula and its arena have previously hosted Luciano Pavarotti, Sting and Elton John concerts as well as two ice hockey matches in 2012.
Joshua and Pulev were supposed to fight in 2017 at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, but the Bulgarian had to pull out with injury – with the British icon comfortably dispatching stand-in Carlos Takam.
But Gotsev remains confident this fight will go ahead and added: “We like this option because it is in Europe, in the middle of the continent.
“The arena itself predisposes to an unprecedented event in our time. There will also be an opportunity for spectators with the right measures taken.
“There needs to be a mutual agreement. We want the terms and conditions to be beneficial for both parties.
“They can’t meet in Bulgaria because Joshua will not agree. He wanted to fight at home but force majeure brought a change.
“Kubrat, however, was ready to fight in Joshua’s backyard, even if the judges were his family.”
The news may disappoint some boxing fans as Pulev revealed on Monday he would be “open” to stepping aside in order for Joshua to fight Tyson Fury.
