Anthony Joshua is preparing for a highly anticipated showdown with Jake Paul, scheduled for December 19 at the Kaseya Center in Miami, and the former two-time unified heavyweight champion is not planning to hold back. Amid rumors suggesting that there may be clauses in the fight contract that could lead Joshua to take it easy on Paul, he firmly stated his intentions to go all out.
“I don’t know how to take it easy on an opponent,” Joshua told ESPN. “I just can’t do that. With this fight, I know I’m going in there to box and hurt. It has nothing to do with a contract; it’s just my mood.” He emphasized that there are no contractual limitations on his performance, explaining that his goal is to “outclass, outshine, and hurt” his opponent.
This encounter is set to be the most significant test of Paul’s boxing career. Joshua is expected to bring an undeniable size and experience advantage to the ring, and he plans to leverage that fully in pursuit of a decisive finish. Reflecting on his last fight against MMA fighter Francis Ngannou, which resulted in a knockout victory in the second round, Joshua expressed his urgency in not underestimating Paul, regardless of the odds.
There’s a strong sense of confidence from Joshua as he predicts the fight will not last long. “There’s zero chance this fight goes the distance,” he asserted. “It might go one round. It might go two rounds, but he won’t see the final bell.”
This fight marks Joshua’s return to the United States for the first time since his stunning loss to Andy Ruiz Jr. in 2019 at Madison Square Garden. He expressed excitement about returning to U.S. soil, but with clear intentions of avoiding any repeat of past mistakes. “It’s a win-win situation for Jake Paul because he’s in there with me and he could come back stronger even in defeat,” Joshua acknowledged. “But the only way it’s a win-win for me is if I get the knockout.” His self-assured statement reflects a new mindset focused on the outcome he desires, as he believes in the power of manifesting success.
As the fight date approaches, all eyes will be on Joshua, who aims not just for a victory but for a knockout, adding another impressive achievement to his already storied boxing career.
