Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua are really going to fight.
The two stars made the official announcement for their December 19 bout in Miami, which will stream live on Netflix, going face-to-face and sharing their thoughts at the press conference.
“I like to challenge myself. I like to take on the biggest, the best. I said anyone, anytime, any place, (and) I truly mean that,” Paul said. “No one ever thought that this would be possible, that we would be here when I first started boxing, and no one thinks I’m going to win. So join the list and be ready to be shocked.”
Paul (12-1, 7 KO) is pushing the idea that his smaller stature will be a benefit against the former world champion.
“He’s one of the best heavyweights ever, but I believe that fighting a smaller man is oftentimes harder as a heavyweight because of the speed difference and because of the foot speed, because of the angles, because of the head being off of the center,” he said. “And so all of that power (he has) is great, and he’s knocked people out. I just have to avoid that one shot for eight rounds, and I believe that I can do that. So when I’m bouncing around the ring, jabbing, weaving, and doing all of these things, I know I can pick him apart and score points and make this a very, very big contest.
“People say, ‘Oh, I respect Jake Paul for getting in there.’ No, respect me because I’m about to win.”
Joshua (28-4, 25 KO) said he won’t treat Paul with anything less than respect in the ring.
“He’s been professional now, what, four years? Five, I do believe, right? Five years,” he said. “So after three years, I was the underdog and no one believed in me. I came up fighting the best in the world. You can’t underestimate anyone.”
Joshua also says he is again switching trainers, and won’t be led by Ben Davison for this fight. Joshua has been training with Oleksandr Usyk and his team.
“I was invited to train with Team Usyk,” he said of linking up with a past rival. “We’ve been doing some good training out in Spain, and I think [Usyk’s] one of the best in the world. And it’s not all down to him, it’s also down to his team that surrounds him. [I’m] getting insight (from) someone who’s achieved so much. It’s been phenomenal, man. It’s been a great experience, and it’s very challenging.”
Paul predicted he’ll win via knockout in the “fourth or fifth round,” while Joshua said he believes he’ll be “bring(ing) him to another school of boxing that I don’t think he’s been exposed to yet.”
Paul vs Joshua will be fought over eight, three-minute rounds, with Joshua not allowed to weigh in over 245 lbs on the scales. The show will also feature Anderson Silva facing Tyron Woodley, plus Alycia Baumgardner defending her three super featherweight titles against Leila Beaudoin.
