Anthony Joshua has issued a chilling warning to Jake Paul ahead of their fight in Miami, saying he would be willing to ‘kill’ his opponent once they step into the ring on Friday evening.
The former two-time heavyweight champion delivered the stark message during fight week in Florida, rejecting any suggestion he might show mercy to the YouTuber-turned-boxer.
Instead, Joshua insisted the bout will be fought with full intent. Joshua’s comments come amid online speculation that the Netflix-billed contest could be staged, claims he has flatly dismissed.
Joshua, who has recorded 25 knockouts in 28 victories, said his public image as a polite and respectful figure will be completely abandoned on fight night at the Kaseya Center, framing the clash as a brutal, do-or-die encounter rather than a crossover spectacle.
The Brit first set the tone during open workouts in Miami on Tuesday, where he addressed fans inside the ring and warned of what was to come before speaking to the media behind closed doors.
Speaking in the ring after his open workout, AJ said: ‘It has to be done. Jake Paul, you’ve got some big balls and I’ve got to give him respect for taking the fight because I’m f***ing ready, it’s go time…
Anthony Joshua (pictured) has warned Jake Paul he could ‘kill’ him in the ring when they fight
Former two-time heavyweight champion Joshua is expected to stomp all over Paul in the ring
YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul will have to reach new heights to stand any chance beating him
‘They want to see some big heavy punches thrown and they want to see someone knocked out, and I’m going to deliver.’
In contrast, the architect of this monstrous event in both senses of the word, Paul said: ‘I’m going to shock the world. One of us is going to sleep. Not me.’
The Problem Child was full of beans as he urged the in-crowd: ‘Watch and believe. My life is about achieving what people tell me is impossible.’
Joshua then escalated his own rhetoric during a later media roundtable, making it clear there would be no compassion for Paul once the bell rings.
Asked if there was ‘any part’ of him that wanted to go easy on a much lower level opponent in Paul, he replied: ‘Zero part of me.’
He went on to explain the mindset he adopts when competing, separating his upbringing from the violence he believes is required in his profession.
‘It’s not just that it’s Jake,’ he explained. ‘I was actually looking at myself today, I’m a very respectful guy brought up by a good family. But if I can kill you, I will kill you.
Paul insists he is ‘going to shock the world’ when he fights Joshua on Friday night
Joshua says he is ‘carrying boxing on my back’ and is going to knockout the American
‘That’s just how I am and this is just the job I do, so let’s go.
‘I’m carrying boxing on my back, I did it with the Francis Ngannou fight and I’m doing it again.
‘I understand the expectation, I don’t carry it because the expectation I have on myself is enough but I acknowledge it, I understand it and I respect it.’
With fight night looming, Joshua has left little doubt about his intentions as he prepares to face Paul under the lights in Miami.