Anthony Joshua says he must “save boxing” from Jake Paul in their $50 million Miami fight, dismissing critics and eyeing a future Tyson Fury bout.
MEXICO CITY: Anthony Joshua says boxing needs saving and he is happy to play the hero as he prepares to face YouTube star-turned-boxer Jake Paul.
The former heavyweight champion will meet the social media celebrity in Miami on December 19.
The fight has attracted critics, with former WBC champion Deontay Wilder dismissing it as a “money grab”.
Some of Joshua’s past opponents have also raised concerns for the relative novice Paul’s safety.
Joshua knocked out former UFC champion Francis Ngannou in two rounds in March 2024.
The London 2012 Olympic gold medallist told Reuters he is aiming for another statement win.
“I’ve been called out of my hiatus to save boxing once again,” said Joshua, referring to his year out after a loss to Daniel Dubois.
“I’m the saviour. I saved boxing from Ngannou and now I have to save boxing from Jake Paul,” he added.
Since starting in 2020, Paul has a 12-1 record with 7 knockout wins.
He has beaten influencers, basketball star Nate Robinson, and MMA champions like Anderson Silva.
That record pales next to Joshua, who has fought greats like Wladimir Klitschko and Oleksandr Usyk.
At their face-off, the 6’6″ Joshua towered over the 6’1″ Paul.
“I’ve got to take the positives from this: I get to go home early,” Joshua quipped.
He added it was not his responsibility to be concerned for a “deluded” Paul’s wellbeing.
“This is boxing. I can’t go in there thinking about him. I’ll think about myself.”
Asked if the bout erodes the sport’s integrity, Joshua said he wasn’t paying attention.
“I understand from the point of view of pugilist purists this shouldn’t be happening,” the 36-year-old explained.
“But God willing I live until I’m 70, I don’t want to look back and say, ‘I wish I took the opportunity.'”
The opportunity is a guaranteed prize purse of USD 50 million plus bonuses for each fighter.
The spectacle will become only the second boxing event broadcast live on Netflix.
The first was Paul’s controversial win over heavyweight great Mike Tyson last year.
That fight was criticised for pushing safety boundaries, with Tyson aged 58 and using a wheelchair at times.
Allegations of match-fixing arose when Paul claimed he pulled his punches to let the event go the distance.
The Tyson fight became the most streamed sporting event in history.
“Eyes are eyes and there’s more eyes on the sport. There’s no denying that,” Joshua said.
He credited Paul for bringing boxing to new audiences as MMA encroaches on its market share.
Joshua said he was not ruling out coaxing former champion Tyson Fury out of retirement.
“It’s up to Fury. I’ve signed to fight him a number of times. I don’t want to get my hopes up,” he said. – Reuters
