The Pula Amphitheater in Croatia, the only one of its kind, could be the venue for Anthony Joshua’s IBF, WBA and WBO mandatory title defence against Bulgarian heavyweight, Kubrat Pulev.
This is according to Pulev’s manager, Ivaylo Gotsev.
Joshua, 30, was meant to defend his IBF, WBA and WBO world heavyweight titles against Pulev at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 20 June.
The fight has however been postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic and no alternative date or venue has been selected.
Pulev however says Croatia is a possible venue.
“We are discussing Croatia,” said Gotsev.
“There is a unique Roman stadium – Pula Arena – and we are in active talks,” he said.
Gotsev claims both camps have set aside four weeks to find a new venue if coronavirus measures in place in England do not change, with targets set to deliver the bout in August or September.
Boxing is currently shut down in the UK and the British Boxing Board of Control is preparing for bouts to return behind closed doors in July.
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has said staging the world title bout behind closed doors was only going to be considered as a “last resort”.
And Gotsev believes the Croatia venue would allow fans to attend if the necessary safety measures were in place.
“We like this option because it is in Europe, in the middle of the continent,” Gotsev added. “There will also be an opportunity for spectators with the right measures taken.
“There needs to be a mutual agreement. We want the terms and conditions to be beneficial for both parties. They can’t meet in Bulgaria because Joshua will not agree.”
Pula Arena has staged notable concerts featuring Foo Fighters, Luciano Pavarotti and Elton John.
Joshua was initially scheduled to fight Pulev at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium in October 2017 but the 34-year-old Bulgarian, known as “The Cobra”, withdrew after suffering a shoulder injury in sparring.
Pulev, one of Bulgaria’s most popular sportsmen, suffered his only career defeat when he challenged for the IBF world heavyweight title in 2014, losing to Wladimir Klitschko in Hamburg on a fifth-round knockout.
His record stands at 28 wins from 29 bouts, while Joshua has 23 wins from 24.
