KUBRAT PULEV branded Anthony Joshua “arrogant” for focusing on his fight Tyson Fury – even though he is next in line.
AJ, 30, will put his heavyweight world titles on the line when he faces the Bulgarian hardman, 39, in December.
Should he beat Pulev, AJ looks set to fight British rival Fury, 32, twice next year.
But Pulev has warned the 30-year-old against underestimating him – just like he did against Andy Ruiz Jr.
In an interview via the Betway Insider blog, Pulev was asked about the showdown between AJ and Fury.
He said: “This is also very arrogant.
“Talking about Fury because he doesn’t think about my fight, like last time with Ruiz.
“But life showed him that this is very bad when someone does that.
“That’s why he will take his second knockout of his life.
“We will show him and the whole world.
“I’m now next in line for Fury and I think after AJ, I will fight Tyson Fury because Joshua is going to lose and he does not think I’m a big problem – but I will show him really new things.”
Pulev has a record of 28-1 including 14 knockouts ahead of his showdown with Joshua.
The only defeat of his career came against Wladimir Klitschko in 2014.
It will be the first time he has fought since his win over Rydell Booker last year.
But the 39-year-old has claimed fighting in an empty stadium will benefit him against AJ – who he thinks he has a problem with “psychology”.
He added: “For him, it will be a little bit different without his fans but this is a very manly sport, we can fight with the public or without the public, it does not matter.
“But maybe he needs the pub. He is a very good boxer for sure, a world champion and he has had a lot of good fights.
“But I see a lot of problems in his style and his boxing and I think I can use every small opening and I can beat him.
“I do think he has a problem with psychology.”
Original interview came via the Betway Insider blog, where you can find all the latest sporting insight and tips.
