Jake Paul has questioned Anthony Joshua’s decision to accept a weight restriction for their heavyweight bout, arguing it could blunt the former champion’s biggest weapon when they meet on Friday night, December 19, in Miami.
Joshua, a naturally larger man, has agreed to come in at 245 pounds, marking the first time in his professional career that he has had to hit a specific weight. The Briton insists the target has sharpened his focus rather than unsettled him.
“I have never had to make weight, never,” Joshua said during a face-to-face exchange with Jake Paul.
“I feel great. I am blessed. I feel happy that this task was put upon me because I wouldn’t have pushed myself to get to a certain weight; I would have just done what I usually do.
“I think it was a blessing in disguise.”
Paul, however, believes the concession plays into his hands. The American, who takes a 12-1 record into the contest, feels Joshua’s power is most dangerous when he is heavier and less restricted.
“I don’t agree with the decision on his behalf. He has taken away the best thing against me, which is his power,” Paul said.
“We’ve seen him when he’s a bit lighter, and there’s not as much thump on the punches. I think the best thing he could have had is the extra oomph on the punches.
“But, to me, the weight doesn’t matter, the weight won’t make a difference. It’s a skill which will win this fight. I believe my skills are better than his, which is a crazy thing to say.”
Jake Paul went further, questioning Joshua’s technical ability and suggesting the fight would be decided by movement and timing rather than size.
“He’s a very basic fighter. He’s gotten to where he’s at because of the size and the power,” the YouTuber-turned-boxer said.
“The skills will win this fight. You saw it with Oleksandr Usyk, when he fought him. And I believe this will be similar to that.”
Joshua has recently trained in Spain with members of the same team that prepared Oleksandr Usyk, who outboxed him in back-to-back defeats. Paul welcomed the move while maintaining his belief that Joshua would struggle to impose himself.
“As you should,” Paul said. “You definitely needed to change coaches, so I’m glad.
“He has a lot of power punches. If you get caught, of course he’s going to defeat you. But I don’t believe he can land those punches.
“He lands on the bigger guys who stand in front of him.”
