British former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has vowed to show no mercy to Jake Paul and expressed his desire for only a knockout victory. The anticipated bout between Joshua and the YouTuber on December 19 in Miami is expected to be a one-sided affair, with Joshua set to earn a substantial £70 million for what might seem like a sparring session.
Joshua, who will be coached by Oleksandr Usyk’s team for the fight, emphasized that only a knockout will satisfy him. He stated, “Simply defeating him won’t be enough for me; I must knock him out.” Asserting his intentions, Joshua declared, “I aim to inflict significant damage on him. I am determined to prove my superiority in the ring and continue doing so until I retire. My goal is to enter the ring and execute my plan. I want to cause him harm; I intend to hurt him during the fight.”
Acknowledging Paul’s boxing experience, having fought professionally 13 times since his debut in 2020, Joshua commended his opponent’s dedication. He noted, “Jake is a legitimate fighter. Consider this: when I started boxing, I walked into the gym with my cousin, believing I could succeed; three years later, I competed in the Olympics.” Joshua cautioned against underestimating any opponent, highlighting the importance of respecting Paul’s capabilities.
In response, Paul expressed his readiness to make history with a monumental upset in boxing. Confident in his skills, he remarked, “No one believed we would reach this point when I began boxing. The odds are against me, but get ready to be surprised. I possess the power and precision needed. It’s the unexpected strikes that matter, and I am a crafty knockout specialist; he must be cautious. I foresee a knockout in the fourth or fifth round. I am prepared to go to any lengths to secure victory in this match.”
