Kubrat Pulev is ready to sue Anthony Joshua and promoter Eddie Hearn if they attempt to skip their world title fight in favour of a clash with Tyson Fury.
Hearn said last week that Joshua could take on his fellow British world champion in December rather than next summer as planned.
But that would involve Joshua avoiding his mandatory responsibilities against Pulev and Fury not fighting Deontay Wilder for a third time.
Hearn has pencilled in December 12 for Joshua’s clash with Pulev but said he has not yet signed a new contract after the fight was postponed due to the coronavirus crisis.
And Pulev’s co-promoter is ready to sue if Hearn and Joshua look to swerve the Bulgarian.
“That’s something that they have always contemplated at their end. But that door will be closed with a lawsuit if they break our deal and our contract,” Ivaylo Gotzez told Press Box PR.
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“There are some very good attorneys in England and some very fair courts, so it will come down to whether they want to decide whether they want that or not.
“I do believe AJ and his promoter will do the right thing and do as they say and finalise the deal.
“Through blood sweat and tears Kubrat earned his position to challenge AJ. Will they overrule his rights, can they all overrule his rights? That’s entirely up to them if they want to try that.
“They should respect the rules of the IBF. There’s a signed agreement.
“We are in the final stages of closing the deal, which we are extremely happy with. We’re adjusting the original contract and it’s finally going in the right direction that keeps both sides happy.
“It’s now up to Eddie to conclude their part. Our signature will come a lot easier than theirs.
“To become a champion you must go into foreign lands and conquer and that’s what Kubrat has decided to do. That’s where the win will be the sweetest and the most legitimate. Let’s do it in London.
“We’re going for the knockout. Kubrat is a man’s man. He has heart, skill. talent and he’s going to upset the apple cart. The question is: is AJ a man or is he still a mama’s boy?
“Kubrat is the big underdog, it’s like a Rocky story. AJ is a physical specimen, he’s like Apollo Creed and we’re bringing in Rocky. When he upsets AJ that’s the end of Matchroom’s reign.”