Anthony Joshua has made it clear that he will not hold back against Jake Paul and stated that only a knockout victory will fulfill his desire for aggression. The former heavyweight champion is set to face YouTuber Paul in a mismatched bout in Miami on December 19, with Joshua earning up to £70 million for what is expected to be a one-sided contest. Joshua, who will be trained by Oleksandr Usyk’s team for the fight, emphasized that he is not aiming just to defeat Paul but to knock him out early in the match.
Expressing his intentions, Joshua stated, “It’s not enough for me to simply win; I must secure a knockout victory.” He added, “I intend to inflict significant damage on him. I am determined to demonstrate my superiority in the ring and will continue to do so until I retire. My goal is to enter the ring, execute my strategy, and cause him harm. I want to inflict serious damage on him during the fight.”
Acknowledging Paul’s commitment to boxing, having fought professionally for 13 matches since his debut in 2020, Joshua praised his opponent’s dedication. “Jake is a formidable fighter. Consider this: when I first started in boxing, I walked into the gym with my cousin, declaring I could succeed; three years later, I competed in the Olympics,” Joshua remarked. “He has been in this sport for five years. After three years, I was considered an underdog with no supporters. One should never underestimate anyone.”
On the other side, Paul expressed his determination to achieve a historic upset in boxing by being prepared to go to extreme lengths. “No one believed this would be possible when I first started boxing,” Paul stated. “I am seen as the underdog, but be prepared for a surprise. I possess the power and timing required. It’s the unexpected shots that make the difference, and I am a skilled knockout artist; he needs to be cautious. I predict a knockout in the fourth or fifth round. I am willing to give everything to win this fight.”