Former two-time unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is gearing up to face YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in an eagerly anticipated eight-round bout on December 19 at Miami’s Kaseya Center, streamed live on Netflix. Joshua arrives confident and determined to dominate the contest as he looks to revive his boxing career.
Speaking at a recent press conference, Joshua didn’t mince words about his intentions. “I’m going to break his face. I am going to break his body up. I’m going to stomp all over him. That’s my fighter’s mentality,” Joshua declared with conviction. “I know what it is in my heart. I know what is in my mind. I am here to compete and prove to myself that I am the better fighter.”
Joshua promised to bring a level of skill and power that Paul has yet to encounter. “I’m going to come forward, impose myself, land heavy punches and expose him to certain tricks in boxing that he may not have seen yet,” he said. “I am going to bring him to another school of boxing that I don’t think he’s been exposed to yet.” His goal is clear: “I need to cut him up, break him up, hurt him, and knock him out. There is nothing more than that.”
Despite Joshua’s confidence, he shows respect for his opponent’s work ethic and mentality. Jake Paul, with a record of 12-1 and seven knockouts, has proven to be a tough and dedicated competitor. Joshua acknowledged, “I see talent, focus, he puts in the work, has a good team — nothing negative. That’s why he’s here now. He’s here to do his job.”
Joshua even praised Paul’s mindset, stating, “He has a conqueror’s mentality. His mentality is solid. It’s better than Tyson Fury’s. Jake is sitting here. So I take him seriously in preparation and give him the respect that he deserves.”
The stakes are high for Joshua, who has struggled to maintain his dominant form in recent years. Since 2019, he has compiled a 6-4 record and suffered a devastating fifth-round stoppage loss to Daniel Dubois in September 2024. Following that bout, Joshua underwent elbow surgery and was initially set to fight Cassius Chaney in November in Saudi Arabia before the Paul fight opportunity arose.
Bookmakers have installed Joshua as a heavy favorite, with odds over minus-1000, but the former champion knows he cannot afford to underestimate Paul. “I’m not above the challenge. I have to work hard with my head down and get the job done. You can’t underestimate anyone,” Joshua said.
Looking beyond the Paul fight, Joshua aims to reclaim his position at the top of heavyweight boxing. He’s expected to return to the ring as early as February and has ambitions to face Tyson Fury in a highly anticipated fall showdown if successful.
“I’m going to be a tough man to break down because I have been building myself over the last year,” Joshua said. “I haven’t been sitting back. I’ve been working. I know what I can do, and I can’t wait to show it. I am not going to crumble. I’m solid. I’ve been through wars, and I am still standing super strong because I have the hunger and desire.”
For Joshua, this fight isn’t just about winning; it’s about making a statement. “It’s a great opportunity for me to announce myself as a dominant figure once again. I want to be up just as much as people want to see me down. I’m hungry, devoted, and dedicated to chasing what I need to be.”
He concluded emphatically, “I am going there for a job. I want to really hurt him in the ring. I have to break his delusion and bring him down to a reality check in the ring.”
The December 19 fight will be Joshua’s chance to silence critics and prove that he remains a force to be reckoned with in the heavyweight division.
