1,000 fans will be in attendance for Anthony Joshua vs Kubrat Pulev

Anthony Joshua‘s highly-anticipated heavyweight world title defence against Kubrat Pulev will be witnessed by 1,000 fans at Wembley Arena.

Matchroom Boxing announced on Wednesday that the small portion of spectators will be allowed to attend the bout on Saturday, December 12. 

Ticket prices for crowds returning to the boxing ring for Joshua’s defence of the IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO titles range from £100 to £1,000 and will go on sale on Friday, December 4.

1,000 fans can attend Anthony Joshua’s heavyweight world title defence against Kubrat Pulev

It had been expected that a certain number of fans would be welcomed back to boxing arenas following the announcement of the Goverment’s new regional tier system last week.

London has been placed in Tier 2, effective from today, so a restricted number of boxing fans are allowed in to see Joshua’s first fight in a year.

Joshua’s bout with Pulev was originally set to be held on June 20 but was postponed due to the Covid-19 outbreak. Next weekend’s showdown will be the first time boxing fans will be present since March. 

Heavyweight champion puts his belts on the line at Wembley Arena, London – which is in Tier 2 

‘I can’t tell you how happy I am to see fans returning to our live boxing events,’ Eddie Hearn, Managing Director of Matchroom Sport, said.

‘Whilst the team have done an incredible job over the last 10 months we live and breathe through the energy and atmosphere that a live crowd generates. 

‘It’s so fitting that they can return for an AJ fight, when through the last few years he has broken all kinds of attendance records in the UK and beyond. This is such a positive move for boxing and all sport. Welcome back!’ 

Boxing and other elite sports, including darts, rugby and horse racing, will welcome spectators back this month for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic swept Britain and forced the first national lockdown in March if the events are being staged in areas across England in either Tiers 1 or 2. No fans will be able to attend any sporting events in locations in Tier 3. 

Pulev was scheduled to meet Joshua on June 20 but the fight was postponed due to Covid-19

Health Secretary Matt Hancock revealed in the House of Commons on Thursday which tier each area of England has been placed in as part of the new regional restrictions to limit the spread of the virus. 

The Government had already said that elite sports events would be allowed to admit spectators for the first time in more than eight months if they are in areas where infection rates are low.

Under the rules, which come into force today following the end of the latest national lockdown, events in Tier 1 areas will be allowed up to 4,000 fans for outdoor events, in Tier 2 it will be up to 2,000, but no supporters will be allowed at events in Tier 3. 

Joshua overcame Andy Ruiz Jr in a rematch in Saudi Arabia last December to regain his IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO titles.

The Briton was scheduled to face Pulev at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium three years ago but the Bulgarian withdrew through injury. 

Pulev last challenged for the IBF world heavyweight title in 2014 but he was knocked out in the fifth round by Wladimir Klitschko.