The YouTuber turned boxer, Jake Paul, assumed his “delirious optimism” on Friday before facing former heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua in December, whom he believes he can beat by defying all odds.
“I like to measure myself against the best. We are going to war, and the strongest man will win,” the American replied during a promotional event, when asked if he had “lost his mind”.
While Paul is coming off a victory against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in June, and a success a year ago against the almost sixty-year-old legend Mike Tyson in a highly criticized fight, many experts do not give him the shadow of a chance against the British Joshua, twice undisputed champion of the premier category.
The December 19 match in Miami could be the popular videographer’s “last day on Earth,” said David Haye, himself a former world champion. For its part, the British Boxing Federation affirmed that it would not have authorized this confrontation for security reasons.
“It’s crazy until it’s not anymore”
Because in addition to experience, Paul, 28 years old, gives around fifteen centimeters to Joshua, who is also heavier, benefits from a better reach and arrives with his 28 victories (25 KO) for 4 defeats.
Jake Paul, for his part, has a record of 12 successes (7 KOs) for one setback.
“I got where I am today thanks to my delusional optimism. It’s crazy until it’s no longer crazy (…). Nobody ever thought it would be possible, that we would be here, when I started boxing, and nobody thinks I’m going to win. So join the list and get ready to be shocked,” the internet star said.
Anthony Joshua, 36, for his part promised “respect” to his opponent, whose “strong” mentality he praised. All the while planning to crush it.
A very lucrative fight broadcast on Netflix
“To be honest, I’m going to break his face, I’m going to demolish his body, I’m going to trample him,” warned the former heavyweight champion, explaining that he trained with the current king of the category, the Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk.
“That’s my mentality, a fighter’s mentality. I’m here for the competition. I am here to prove that I am the best fighter,” added Joshua, who has not entered a ring since the knockout suffered against Daniel Dubois in September 2024.
The event, broadcast on Netflix like the Paul-Tyson fight, should be particularly lucrative for the two men, with $184 million to be shared according to estimates from several media outlets.
