By Sport Analyst
Emmanuel Afonja
Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul have both promised knockouts as they gear up for their highly anticipated £100 million heavyweight clash scheduled for December 19 at the Kaseya Centre in Miami.
Joshua, a two-time world heavyweight champion, is returning to the ring for the first time since suffering a shocking knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in September 2024. At their intense first face-off in Miami, the British star issued a chilling warning to his YouTuber-turned-boxer opponent.
“It’s massive. It’s colossal. We’re bringing marketability together with ability,” Joshua said. “If I’m going to be honest, I’m going to break his face, break his body up, and stomp all over him.”
The eight-round bout, which will stream live on Netflix, has drawn huge attention due to the contrast in size, pedigree, and experience. Joshua, standing at 6ft 6in, towered over Paul during the staredown, but the American refused to be intimidated.
“I just have to avoid that one shot for eight rounds, and I believe I can do that,” Paul declared. “I want him to cut me up. I want him to break my face. But he’s going to have to kill me to stop me, and I’m ready to die in the ring to win this fight.”
Paul (12-1, 7 KOs), leaning heavily on speed and discipline, admitted Joshua is “one of the best heavyweights ever,” but insisted that the world has underestimated him from the start.
“I like to challenge myself. I said anyone, anytime, any place. No one thought this would be possible when I started boxing, and no one thinks I’m going to win now,” he said.
A notable twist in the bout is the weigh-in rule: Joshua must come in at 245 pounds or below, with no rehydration clause. The former champion has typically weighed 250 pounds or more in recent fights. Paul is expected to weigh between 215 and 225 pounds.
Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs) also revealed a major shake-up in his training setup. He has temporarily parted ways with his trainer Ben Davison and joined the team behind unified world champion Oleksandr Usyk.
“I was invited to train with Team Usyk,” Joshua said. “He’s one of the best in the world, and so is the team around him. I’ve gained great insight into what has made them so successful.”
Paul, however, has already plotted his next move—one which many observers see as overly ambitious.
“It’s a massive mistake for them to look past me,” Paul warned. “I’m knocking this guy out, becoming the CEO of Matchroom Boxing, and then it’s me versus Tyson Fury next year. Don’t book flights or hotels for Joshua’s future fights. Those plans are over.”
Despite widespread criticism that the fight is a mismatch, promoter Eddie Hearn insists Joshua remains fully focused and will earn a career-high purse.
“This isn’t ‘fight Jake Paul and retire’,” Hearn said. “We’ve got huge plans for 2026. This is a run-out, a record payday, and then straight back into serious business next year.”
