Jake Paul declared: After promising to knock out Anthony Joshua in a hotly anticipated fight on December 19th. “Next year it will be me and Tyson Fury.”
The two met face-to-face after their first press conference, and Paul revealed his plans to beat the former heavyweight champion.
The former heavyweight world champion will face the social media star in a sanctioned eight-round contest in Miami.
“He’s one of the best heavyweights of all time, but fighting smaller guys is often more difficult for heavyweights because of the speed difference, footwork, angles and off-center head,” Paul said.
“All that power is great, but all you have to do is avoid that one shot for eight rounds, and I believe I can do that. I know I can pick him out, score points and make this a great contest.
“Don’t respect me just for going in there, respect me because I’m going to win.”
Joshua responded, “Jake is a serious fighter. No one can underestimate him. I have to cut him, break him, hurt him. There is nothing more. I don’t care what anyone else says, I have to do the job.”
AJ confirms training with Team Usyk
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Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul faced each other for the first time ahead of their fight in Miami on December 19th. Source: MVP/Netflix
Joshua has not competed since a devastating knockout loss to Daniel Dubois last September and has been working with the team behind current world champion Oleksandr Usyk to prepare for an eight-round contest on December 19.
At a press conference held in the US to launch the fight, Joshua revealed his split from his regular trainer Ben Davison. Ben Davidson told Boxing News Online last week that the event was “bad for boxing”.
“I was invited to train with Team Usyk,” Joshua said.
“He’s one of the best in the world and it’s not all down to him. It’s also down to the team around him, so I connected with them and got a great insight into a man who has achieved so much.”
“It was a really good experience and very challenging.”
Joshua confirmed he had never sparred with Usyk, adding: “I don’t spar with Usyk. He is in and out of camp and is currently training elsewhere.”
Paul wants Fury after he knocks out AJ.
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Paul called for a fight with Tyson Fury in 2026 after vowing to knock out Joshua. Credit: MVP/Netflix
As well as knocking out Joshua, YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul has plotted to stage a mouth-watering all-British fight against former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury after vowing to topple promoter Eddie Hearn at the top of Matchroom Boxing.
“It would be a huge mistake to pass me by,” Paul added. “I’m going to stop all those plans. Don’t book any flights or hotels. I’m going to knock this guy out, I’m going to be the CEO of Matchroom Boxing, I’m going to change my plans and I’m going to fight Tyson Fury next year.
“Look at what happened the last time they came to America and the plan they had. Andy Ruiz stopped it. This is Andy Ruiz 2.0.”
