Summary

  • Anthony Joshua knocks out Kubrat Pulev in round nine of world title fight at Wembley Arena

  • Briton Joshua successfully defends IBF, WBA and WBO belts against Bulgarian

  • Lawrence Okolie KOs Nikodem Jeżewski in round two

  • Hughie Fury cut badly but beats Mariusz Wach on points

Live Reporting

Michael Emons and Craig Nelson

  1. 'Going to go off'

    Dillian Whyte
    Former British heavyweight champion on BBC Radio 5 Live

    I think this is going to go off and spark up in the first round.

  2. 'I see a big KO'

    Former European Heavyweight champion Audley Harrison...

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy and privacy policy before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.

  3. Staying sharp

    This is Anthony Joshua's only fight of 2020, but watch this interview with BBC Sport as he describes how he kept himself sharp during the tough lockdown days.

    Anthony Joshua v Kubrat Pulev: I worked hard to develop skills in lockdown says champ

  4. 'Joshua faces a dour stayer'

    Mike Costello
    BBC Sport boxing correspondent at Wembley Arena

    It could be argued that Anthony Joshua's reputation has been boosted during his year-long absence from the ring.

    The surprise win for Alexander Povetkin in devastating style against Dillian Whyte in August reshaped the perspective on Joshua's performance against the Russian in September 2018. Joshua was troubled early on but rebounded to batter Povetkin in seven rounds, a result which now carries much more credit.

    Joshua accepted that his reputation would be forever tarnished should he suffer a second successive reverse against Ruiz and defeat by Pulev carries a similar threat to his legacy.

    In the Bulgarian, Joshua faces a dour stayer who has been on the fringes of the elite during a spell dating back to the reign of the Klitschko brothers. Pulev's only defeat in 29 fights came in 2014 against a prime Wladimir, who called on Joshua for sparring in preparation for the fight.

    On the night, Pulev shook Klitschko with a jab in the opening seconds but was later decked four times himself, three of them from heavy left hooks.

  5. Get Involved

    #bbcboxing or text 81111 (UK only, charges apply)

    Morgan Fletcher: Rocky IV music on. #JoshuaPulev love it!

    Not the only one Morgan.

  6. 'The fans are back'

    Mike Costello
    BBC Sport boxing correspondent at Wembley Arena

    The fans are back. Joshua has a message on the big screen. The letters AJ lit up in flames and the strains of Anthony Joshua ring around this arena. He waits on the end of the ramp. Standing stock still. He turns to the crowd on the left and right and raises one solitary glove in acknowledgement and gratitude. The fans are back.

  7. We have huge 'A' and 'J' letters on fire either side of the walk-in ramp. Kubrat Pulev made his way to the ring in pretty routine fashion.

    But now the show really starts.

    "I hope you've enjoyed the show so far. I'm going to put on a great show," says Anthony Joshua on the video screen.

    White Stripes' Seven Nation Army anthem, sung with the words of 'Oh Anthony Joshua' bellows out around Wembley Arena before some Rocky tunes as Joshua heads to the ring. We've waited a long time for an event like this.

  8. 'Mayweather in the house'

    Mike Costello
    BBC Sport boxing correspondent at Wembley Arena

    Floyd MayweatherDave Thompson/Matchroom Boxing

    Just walking into the arena is a man wearing a baseball cap saying 'TBE' - the best ever. Floyd Mayweather is in the house and it's very kind of him to take time out, Steve, because he has got that 'massive' fight coming up against Logan Paul in February. Stop laughing Steve...

  9. Steve Bunce
    BBC boxing pundit at Wembley Arena

    It's not the Pulev of the weigh-in. He is stony faced. He knows what faces him in the ring tonight.

  10. 'Psyched up'

    Dillian Whyte
    Former British heavyweight champion on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Pulev looks very focused and seems psyched up.

  11. Get Involved

    #bbcboxing or text 81111 (UK only, charges apply)

    AJ to win by KO, round 3 but possibly earlier. Expecting Pulev to go straight at AJ from opening bell & try to rough him up by getting right in his face. He's got a good jab but I don't see Pulev playing it cagey. He'll go out for a quick finish & will get taken out. AJ to step back, use a bit of distance & land when Pulev heads in.

    Iain J, Kent

    Lot more riding on this fight for AJ than just Fury.. a slip-up here and his whole career will be In question .. is he as good as we all think he is... I hope so.

    Craig, Manchester

  12. 'A soundtrack of hostility'

    Mike Costello
    BBC Sport boxing correspondent at Wembley Arena

    The 1,000 fans here creating a soundtrack of hostility for the Bulgarian Pulev.

  13. Joshua's recent record

    How Anthony Joshua managed to lose to Andy Ruiz will be one of the great mysteries of heavyweight boxing.

    But that's the joy of the sport. One punch can change someone's life.

    Kubrat Pulev will be hoping to change his life in the next 45 minutes.

    Anthony Joshua's last five fights

  14. Get Involved

    #bbcboxing or text 81111 (UK only, charges apply)

    Sarolj Gurung: Anthony Joshua to win on points. I think he will be cautious as he doesn't want Andy Ruiz moment again.

    Mohdaj: It's Pulev time.

    Sam Wayne Jet: Once that bell rings you're on your own. It's just you and the other guy.

  15. 'Quick'

    Steve Bunce
    BBC boxing pundit at Wembley Arena

    I think it is going to be quick tonight, real quick.

  16. 'Pulev will suit Joshua'

    Mike Costello
    BBC Sport boxing correspondent at Wembley Arena

    I think the upright style of Pulev will suit Joshua. He is just too fresh and too hungry to have any slip-ups here tonight.

  17. 'The champ is back'

    Former cruiserweight world champion Tony Bellew...

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy and privacy policy before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post 2

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy and privacy policy before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.

  18. So good, so good, so good

    Oh you know it's a big night of boxing when Neil Diamond comes on the arena stereo.

    Sweet Caroline, the pre-fight boxing anthem. No-one knows why or how it became this way, but there you go. It is.

    Never have I missed hearing Neil Diamond so much.

    We've got 1,000 in there singing along, sounding like 10,000. Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. Good times never seemed so good.

    And good times are returning.

  19. 'AJ has to stay focused'

    Steve Bunce
    BBC boxing pundit at Wembley Arena

    AJ has got to stay sharp, he's got to stay focused. He has to ignore all those people telling him he just has to show up. This is boxing, no-one wins just by showing up.

  20. Get Involved

    #bbcboxing or text 81111 (UK only, charges apply)

    Max Louis Murphy: Loving the radio commentary.

    Listen to the best in the business - Mike Costello, Steve Bunce and Dillian Whyte - by pressing the play button at the top. What are you waiting for?