The first Joshua vs Pulev face off took place today in Cardiff, Wales as both fighters came face to face for the very first time.

It’s a fight that Joshua is expected on paper to win in convincing fashion but the heavyweight champion knows if he even remotely takes his eye off the ball against a boxer as polished and experienced as Pulev, that he could come unstuck very quickly.

Both men met today for the first time and as expected, there was mostly mutual respect shown from two fighters who rarely like to trash talk – instead opting to let their fists do the talking in the ring more often than not.

The first Joshua vs Pulev face off took place here (hat tip IFL TV YouTube):

Pretty fearless stuff indeed from both guys, in fairness.

Mind games they say start as soon as a contract is signed for a fight between two fighters. If today’s first meeting face to face is anything to go by, it doesn’t look like either is rattled at this stage.

Joshua knows that if he’s to land another massive fight similar to his last against Wladimir Klitschko back in April at Wembley, he can’t afford to slip up here.

A win isn’t enough for him at this stage – he knows he has to look impressive in doing it. Kubrat Pulev of course will have other ideas.