2 weeks ago
1 Kevin Johnson has fought Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Kubrat Pulvev – so when the American boxer talks, we listen.
The 41-year-old has lost to all three fighters over the years – but only AJ was able to knock him out, back in 2015.
Johnson felt Joshua’s power at the O2 in 2015Getty Images
AJ is heavy favourite to overcome Pulev this weekendMark Robinson/Matchroom
Looking ahead to Saturday’s bout between Joshua and Pulev, which sees the 31-year-old Brit defend his heavyweight titles against the 38-year-old Bulgarian, Johnson can only see one outcome.
“It’ll be a technical knockout, somewhere between five and seven rounds, for AJ,” he told talkSPORT 2.
“Pulev doesn’t have that type of snap to make AJ turn his B-game or C-game on.
“I fought him [Pulev] for 12 rounds and trust me, I was running out of gas in the twelfth round, but he could not finish or hurt me.
“An A-game fighter like AJ, Pulev’s corner should stop the fight if it’s not a technical knockout.
“Pulev doesn’t have it, I know that for a fact.”
Pulev has only lost one fight in his career and beat Johnson in 2017Mark Robinson/Matchroom
If Joshua can successfully defend his WBA, WBO and IBF belts, as Johnson expects, there are hopes of an all-British unification fight against WBC champion Fury next year.
However, Johnson insists Fury cannot avoid a third fight with Deontay Wilder, due to contractual obligations.
The Gypsy King’s planned December 5 bout against Agit Kabayel at the Royal Albert Hall was scrapped due to a dispute with Wilder.
Fury insists the rematch clause with the American has lapsed, meaning the he is under no obligation to defend his title against him.
The Bronze Bomber begs to differ, though, and has now initiated the dispute resolution provision within the fight contract.
Fury’s next opponent remains unknownAFP - Getty
“It will be Fury vs Wilder, 100 per cent. If people know the logistics, contracts and promotional side, Fury can’t fight anybody until he fights Wilder,” Johnson added.
“That’s a legitimate contract. Fury can try and try and try, but his team is smart and they’re not going to risk a massive lawsuit, or him getting stripped of all the titles.
“So it will be Fury vs Wilder 3, that’s black and white, we can’t change that.”
English (United States)