Promoter Eddie Hearn ‘nervous’ over Anthony Joshua’s performance without fans

Anthony Joshua vs Kubrat Pulev is set to take place on December 12. Joshua’s IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight championships will be on the line as well.

Although the fight is in London placed in Tier 2, (2,00 fans allowed in Tier 2 places in the UK) there has been no update whether fans can now watch the fight live. Assuming the bout is going to take place without fans, Sports promoter Eddie Hearn voiced his concerns over Anthony Joshua’s motivation to put on a show without fans.

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Hearn said, “To think that Joshua will box in that kind of an environment in a couple of weeks is actually making me extremely nervous. He is used to fighting in front of 90,000 people with fireworks going off in an electric atmosphere. Can he get himself motivated and disciplined in the same kind of way, when you can hear a pin drop?”

“But what you will hear is the sound and the thud of some of the fastest, most brutal hands in boxing landing on Pulev. It will be fascinating to watch.”

Most sporting events and leagues around the globe have been conducted without fans, although restrictions are being reduced; 50% audience for the Australia vs India series and 2,000 fans allowed for Premier League matches next weekend onwards.