Kubrat Pulev injured, Carlos Takam to face Anthony Joshua

Well, this sucks.

IBF mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev has suffered a shoulder injury less than two weeks before his title shot against Anthony Joshua. As a result, Joshua will instead face Carlos Takam, the next man down on the sanctioning body’s rankings.

Takam (35-3-1, 27 KO) is 2-0 over rancid competition since losing a competitive decision to Joseph Parker in May of 2016. He’s a capable heavyweight by any definition, but he is a full eight years older and more than four inches shorter than Joshua.

He’s tricky, though, I’ll give him that.

And yes, before you ask, this is still a pay-per-view.