Rising British heavyweight Moses Itauma has issued a stark warning to Jake Paul ahead of the American’s high-profile clash with Anthony Joshua on December 19, calling the matchup “suicide” and urging him to walk away before it is too late.
Speaking during a livestream that drew more than 50,000 viewers, the 20-year-old unbeaten prospect did not hold back.
“Jake, please reconsider, this is suicide,” Itauma said, adding that Paul “has no idea what’s coming” when he steps in with a seasoned, two-time world champion.
Itauma, who has shared several sparring sessions with Joshua, predicted what he described as “the scariest knockout you’ve ever seen” and warned that the YouTuber-turned-boxer is stepping into a level of power he has never experienced.
With 10 knockouts from 10 professional bouts, Itauma stressed that Joshua hits “three times harder than anyone Paul has faced” and even offered to spar with the American “to show him real power.”
The young heavyweight went further, questioning whether the payday would be worth it for Paul if he left the ring unable to remember even his own name.
Former WBA champion David Haye has also urged promoters to call off the fight, voicing similar concerns about Paul’s safety.
Despite the warnings, the eight-round heavyweight bout is locked in for the Kaseya Centre in Miami and will stream live on Netflix. It will mark Joshua’s U.S. return and is already projected to earn him one of the biggest paydays of his career.
Their first face-off in Miami highlighted the physical contrast. Joshua, standing at 6-foot-6, towered over the 6-foot-1 Paul, who maintained his trademark bravado.
“I just have to avoid that one shot for eight rounds, and I believe that I can do that,” Paul said. He also declared he is “ready to die in the ring” to get the victory and has even talked about targeting Tyson Fury next.
Joshua responded with his own cold promise. “If I’m going to be honest, I’m going to break his face, I’m going to break his body up, I’m going to stomp all over him,” he said.
