Anthony Joshua to KNOCKOUTAKAM in a few hours! | @anthonyfjoshua

#DDD DEADLY, DREADED & DEFT Anthony Joshua will knockout Carlos Takam in Cardiff tomorrow night after Kubrat Pulev - the mandatory challenger for his IBF heavyweight world title - pulled out with a shoulder injury, less than two weeks before bout was due to take place.

The fight takes place Saturday October 28 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. 

The undercard and exact schedule will be formulated in the coming days, but expect the headline fight to take place at approximately 11pm UK time.  This could be subject to delays depending on the duration of other fights on the night. 

Joshua's title defence will be live on Sky Sports Box office.

Anthony Joshua (speaking before Pulev's withdrawal): 

"October 28 can’t come soon enough, I have been eager to get back in the ring since Wembley and now we are confirmed and ready. 

"I’ll be locked away focusing on fight number 20 for the next eight weeks. I am excited to experience the atmosphere in a sold out Principality Stadium and aim to give the fans a spectacular night."

Eddie Hearn (speaking on Pulev's withdrawal): 

"I received a call from Kalle Sauerland late afternoon to inform me that Pulev had injured his shoulder and may be ruled out of the fight – this was later confirmed by his doctor,”

"IBF rules state that the mandatory will go to the next fighter in line which is Carlos Takam.

"When the Pulev fight was announced I made a deal with Takam's team to begin camp and be on standby for this fight.

"When I called them this evening they were overjoyed and good to go.

"It's a difficult position for AJ having prepared meticulously for the style and height of Pulev, he now faces a completely different style and challenge in Takam – this hasn't happened in his career before but he is ready for all comers on October 28."

Takam, a mandatory challenger, said it would be the biggest night of his 39-fight professional career that "will change my sporting life, but not my personal life."

"Sometimes late notice means less pressure," said Christian Cherchi, Takam's promoter.

Joshua boasts an unblemished professional record of 19 KO wins from 19 fights, including a memorable triumph over Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley in April. Both his IBF and WBA belts are expected to be on the line. 

In his 12 years as a professional boxer, Takam has suffered three defeats, with one draw and 35 victories. 

Standing at 6ft 5in tall, the heavy-handed slugger has the strength and physicality to test Joshua - in theory.  

Armand Carlos Netsing Takam, best known as Carlos Takam, is a 36-year-old Cameroonian-French professional boxer and former WBC Silver heavyweight champion.

The new challenger fights in a contrasting style of original opponent Kubrat Pulev, and is a completely different physical specimen.

Comes forward, aggressive, squat and powerfully built, Takam tends to slow as he gasses in the later rounds, but he is capable of doling out some punishment of his own. As an amateur he represented Cameroon in the super heavyweight division at the 2004 Olympics.

As a 12-year professional, Takam has a record of 35 wins, three defeats and one draw, and this will be his first full heavyweight title fight. He was selected because he is the next in line as mandatory challenger after Pulev to Joshua's IBF belt.

AJ also announced: "We're proud to announce @jdsports as the official partner of @anthonyfjoshua"
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We over here in Naija, gat your back...go KNOCKOUTAKAM, AJ!