The words from Anthony Joshua were chilling as he stared at Jake Paul and explained exactly what he will do when the pair finally get in the ring together next month.
Many experts feel that two-time world heavyweight champion AJ is tarnishing his legacy by getting in with a 12-1 Youtuber turned boxer whose best win might be a decision over a 58-year-old Mike Tyson.
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The massive size difference between the two men was obvious when they faced off for the first time at Friday’s press conference to officially announce their December showdown in Miami (live on Netflix).
The only that might be bigger than that size difference is the gulf in class – AJ (28-4) remains an elite heavyweight operator even at the age of 36. Jake is stepping up from cruiser after fighting a strange mix of celebrities and washed-up boxing and MMA names.
Many feel this fight is dangerous – for Jake at least – highly respected boxing exec Lou DiBella for one described it as an ‘unsafe abomination’. Joshua is a massive favourite, unsurprisingly, and Jake believes all the pressure on him.
Anything less than a resounding victory for AJ in this 8-rounder (standard boxing rules, both men wear 10oz gloves), and in reality a resounding knockout victory, will be seen as an embarrassment for the British superstar.
Joshua though exuded confidence on Friday though, maybe it was the calm air of somebody who is about to be paid a career-high purse north of £50m for what could be his easiest night ever as a pro.
Joshua’s chilling warning for Jake
The Watford man was very clear about what his intentions will be on fight night. He will not be messing around, and absolutely not messing with his own legacy.
“Imma break his face, Imma break his body up, Imma stomp all over him,” Joshua said as he looked across at Jake.
“That’s my mentality, that’s a fighter’s mentality and I know what’s in my heart, I know what’s in my mind. And I’m here to compete, I’m here to prove myself, I’m the better fighter.
“I’m looking forward to it and I’ll do that until I finish fighting, no matter who it is. I’m gonna wanna hurt him. I’m gonna wanna really hurt him in the ring. That’s what I’m gonna do, that’s what I’m here to do.”
New trainer for Joshua
Joshua also revealed at Friday’s presser that he will have a new corner and a new trainer for next month’s blockbuster. Ben Davison is out, and instead AJ will have Team Usyk masterminding his gameplan.
Joshua of course lost to Oleksandr Usyk twice – in world title fights in 2021 and 2022 – and they do say ‘if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em’. That appears to be what AJ is doing here.
He explained: “I won’t be trained by Ben Davison. I said that London’s a bit distracting for me, so I was invited to train with Team Usyk. We’ve been doing some good training out in Spain, and I think he’s [Oleksander Usyk] one of the best in the world. And it’s not all down to him; it’s also down to his team that surrounds him.
“So I linked up with them and [I’m] getting insight into how someone who’s achieved so much. It’s been phenomenal, man. It’s been a great experience, and it’s very challenging.”
Joshua also confirmed the rules around weight for the fight – notably that he will not be able to weigh more than 245lbs (or 111kg or 17st 7lbs) at the official weigh-in on Thursday December 18. Joshua also confirmed that there is no rehydration clause in the contract – he will be able to weigh whatever he wants come fight night.
