Just days before their highly anticipated heavyweight clash, Anthony Joshua has given an uncommon compliment to Jake Paul.
This Friday, Joshua and Paul will face off in a heavyweight match that marks the most significant fight of Paul’s career so far.
Although Joshua has been part of some of the biggest boxing events in recent years, this matchup is perhaps the most eagerly awaited in Paul’s journey, due to the stark contrast in skill and physicality between the fighters—especially compared to Paul’s previous opponents.
The disparity is so pronounced that many current and former boxing stars have criticized the fight, with some calling it dangerous.
Despite Paul’s usual tactic of psychological warfare on opponents, this time he has opted for a different approach. Known as the “Problem Child,” Paul wants to demonstrate his abilities without trash-talking, maintaining a reserved stance alongside Joshua before their December 19 bout.
While most of the martial arts community doubts Paul’s chances, Joshua is an exception. Although Joshua aims to break Paul’s spirit by beating him decisively, he openly acknowledges Paul’s skills and even places him at the top of the heavyweight rankings.
In a pre-fight interview where Joshua was asked to rank five heavyweight fighters without knowing the next challenger, he placed Moses Itauma fifth, noting he needs more experience. Fabio Wardley was ranked second, Tyson Fury third or fourth, and when asked about Paul, Joshua laughingly praised him as a formidable fighter.
Paul has largely driven the trend of influencers venturing into boxing, leading to the creation of platforms like Misfits Boxing. Despite this, he quickly shifted focus to competing against professional fighters to earn genuine respect from fans.
However, just days before this event, former champion Amir Khan predicted that Friday night’s fight could mark the end of “influencer boxing,” warning that Paul might face severe injury.
Fan Take: This fight is a pivotal moment for fighting fans as it tests the boundaries between pro boxing and influencer-driven matches. The outcome could redefine the legitimacy of influencer boxing and influence how the sport evolves in the public eye.
