Joshua Risks IBF Legal Battle Over Quest To Fight Fury
World heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua risks being stripped of his IBF title and a legal war if he skips his mandatory title defence against Kubrat Pulev to fight WBC titleholder, Tyson Fury, reports worldboxingnews.net.
Responding to whether there is a chance that Anthony Joshua and Matchroom might skip their scheduled battle for the hotly anticipated all-British undisputed bout with Tyson Fury, Pulev’s co-promoter and right-hand man, Ivaylo Gotzev, said that would result in the IBF stripping Joshua of his belt.
He also warned that there would be the full legal repercussions if Joshua’s camp tried such a move.
“That’s something that they have always contemplated at their end. But that door will be closed with a lawsuit if they break our deal and our contract,” Gotzev told Press Box PR.
“There are some very good attorneys in England and some very fair courts. So it will come down to whether they want to decide whether they want that or not.
“I do believe AJ and his promoter will do the right thing and do as they say and finalize the deal.”
He continued: “Through blood sweat and tears, Kubrat earned his position to challenge AJ.
“Will they overrule his rights, can they all overrule his rights? That’s entirely up to them if they want to try that.
“They should respect the rules of the IBF. There’s a signed agreement.”
On negotiations between both sides, Gotzev added: “We are in the final stages of closing the deal, which we are extremely happy with.
“We’re adjusting the original contract. It’s finally going in the right direction that keeps both sides happy. It’s now up to Eddie to conclude their part. Our signature will come to the fore a lot easier than theirs.
“To become a champion you must go into foreign lands and conquer and that’s what Kubrat has decided to do.
“That’s where the victory will be the sweetest and the most legitimate. Let’s do it in London. We’re going for the knockout. Kubrat is a man’s man. He has heart, skill, talent and he’s going to upset the apple cart. The question is: is AJ a man or is he still a mama’s boy?
“Kubrat is the big underdog, it’s like a Rocky story. AJ is a physical specimen, he’s like Apollo Creed and we’re bringing in Rocky. When he upsets AJ that’s the end of Matchroom’s reign.”
