File photo dated 07-12-2019 of Anthony Joshua. PA Photo. Issue date: Thursday February 6, 2020. Promotor Eddie Hearn has revealed a deal is on the verge of being agreed for the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to host Anthony Joshua's homecoming later this year. See PA story BOXING Joshua. Photo credit should read Nick Potts/PA Wire.
File photo dated 07-12-2019 of Anthony Joshua. PA Photo. Issue date: Thursday February 6, 2020. Promotor Eddie Hearn has revealed a deal is on the verge of being agreed for the Tottenham Hotspur StadiShow more

Anthony Joshua gets date to fight IBF challenger 'Cobra' Kubrat Pulev at Tottenham stadium



World heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua will face Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev, the IBF's mandatory challenger, at Tottenham Hotspur's 62,000-seater stadium on June 20.

"The contract is already officially signed," the 38-year-old former European amateur super-heavyweight champion Pulev said on his Facebook page. "I am happy to be able to show the world how strong I am."

Briton Joshua, 30, defeated Mexican-American Andy Ruiz in a December rematch in Saudi Arabia to win back his IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO world titles.

Known as 'The Cobra', Pulev challenged for the IBF world heavyweight title in 2014, losing to Wladimir Klitschko in Hamburg on a fifth-round knockout.

Joshua last fought in London in September, 2018 when he beat Alexander Povetkin at Wembley Stadium.

If Joshua wins, the clamour will grow for a fight against Tyson Fury - if he beats Deontay Wilder again in July - to unify the belts and find an undisupted champion.