Anthony Joshua has made it clear that he will not go easy on Jake Paul and emphasized that only a knockout will satisfy his desire for aggression. The former heavyweight champion is set to face YouTuber Paul in what is expected to be a one-sided match in Miami on December 19, with Joshua earning up to £70 million for what some consider a glorified sparring session.
Joshua, who disclosed that he will be trained by Oleksandr Usyk’s team for the fight, acknowledged that only an early stoppage will be acceptable. “Simply defeating him is not enough for me; I must knock him out,” he stated. “I intend to inflict significant damage on him both physically and mentally. My goal is to demonstrate my superiority in the ring, and I will continue to do so until I retire. I am fully committed to my task. I aim to cause him harm; I am determined to inflict significant pain on him during the fight.”
Additionally, Joshua expressed admiration for his opponent, recognizing Paul’s professional record of 13 fights since his debut in 2020. “Jake is a formidable opponent. Consider this: when I first entered the boxing arena with my cousin, I was confident in my abilities; three years later, I was competing in the Olympics,” Joshua remarked. “He has been in this sport for five years. After three years, I was considered the underdog, with few believing in me. You should never underestimate anyone.”
In response, Paul asserted his willingness to go to extreme lengths to achieve what many would consider the greatest upset in boxing history. “Nobody thought we would reach this point when I first started boxing,” he declared. “The majority do not believe in my victory, so add your name to the list and prepare to be astonished. I am confident in my strength and timing. It’s the unexpected punches that make a difference, and I am a crafty knockout artist; he needs to be cautious. I predict a fourth or fifth-round knockout. I am prepared to give my all to secure victory in this match.”