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World Boxing Champion Anthony Joshua has been forced to alter his tactics for his October 28th fight at Cardiff's Principality Stadium after his opponent Kubrat Pulev pulled out from the fight.

Pulev, 36, was forced to withdraw from the fight after suffering an ankle injury from sparring.

Frenchman Carlos Takam who is also 36 will now replace Pulev for the fight and although he is widely expected to be a lesser challenge than Pulev, Joshua will need to rethink his strategy after spending the last month practicing for a bout with a much taller opponent.

"It's difficult for AJ. Having prepared meticulously for the style and height of Pulev, he now faces a completely different style and challenge in Takam," said Joshua's promoter, Eddie Hearn. "This hasn't happened in his career before but he is ready for all comers.

"When the Pulev fight was announced I made a deal with Takam's team to begin [training] camp and be on standby for this fight. When I called them this evening they were overjoyed and good to go."

It was reported in Bulgaria that Pulev could yet challenge Joshua in November or December, but Matchroom has already sold more than 70,000 tickets for the scheduled fight at Cardiff's Principality Stadium. The venue is also committed to hosting the Wales rugby union team's autumn internationals on consecutive Saturdays from 11 November to 2 December.

Takam is considered a less challenging opponent for Joshua than the taller Pulev, having previously lost to WBO champion Joseph Parker, Russia's Alexander Povetkin and the little-known Gregory Tony.