YouTuber Jake Paul faces Anthony Joshua in Miami, banking on “delusional optimism” despite safety concerns and Joshua’s training with champion Usyk.
MIAMI: YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul is banking on “delusional optimism” to secure an upset victory over former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.
The pair will clash in a made-for-streaming eight-round heavyweight bout on December 19 in Florida.
Paul, 28, who controversially defeated 58-year-old Mike Tyson on Netflix in 2024, faces a significantly younger and more experienced opponent in the 36-year-old Joshua.
The event has reportedly arranged for both fighters to split a massive $184 million purse.
Safety concerns have been raised across boxing due to the significant physical mismatch between the 6ft 1in Paul and the hard-hitting 6ft 6in Joshua.
Former world champion David Haye warned this week the fight could be Paul’s “last day on earth”.
The British Boxing Board of Control stated it would not have sanctioned the fight on safety grounds.
Paul’s limited professional record stands at 12 wins with one defeat and seven knockouts.
He faces a substantial height, weight, and reach disadvantage against Joshua, a 2012 Olympic champion and two-time unified heavyweight titleholder.
Joshua boasts 28 career wins with 25 knockouts against only four defeats.
During a promotional face-off, Paul was asked if he had “lost his mind” by taking the fight.
“I like to challenge myself against the best,” Paul replied.
“We’re going to go to war and the best man will win.”
Paul attributed his success to his unique mindset.
“I have gotten to where I am today because of delusional optimism,” he stated.
“It’s delusion until it’s not.”
Joshua, who towered over Paul during the event, promised an emphatic victory.
After praising Paul’s “solid” mentality and vowing respect, Joshua outlined his brutal intentions.
“If I’m gonna be honest, I’m gonna break his face, I’m gonna break his body up, I’m gonna stomp all over him,” Joshua said.
“That’s my mentality, a fighter’s mentality.”
Joshua also revealed he has been training in Spain with reigning heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.
He split with former trainer Ben Davison, citing London as “a bit distracting”.
“I was invited to train with team Usyk,” Joshua explained.
“Usyk’s one of the best in the world.”
He described gaining insight from Usyk’s team as “phenomenal”. – AFP
