MIAMI – Anthony Joshua did not retract his comments from earlier this week about killing Jake Paul.
The former heavyweight champion said, “If I can kill you, I’ll kill you,” when asked if he would be taking it easy on Paul in their scheduled contest this Friday at Miami’s Kaseya Center. His comments were met with backlash by many, as this is a sport where many have met that tragic fate.
Tyson Fury, Joshua’s long-time rival and potential future opponent, labeled Joshua a “classless loser” for those comments.
At Wednesday’s press conference, Joshua was given the opportunity to explain his comments, and was asked if he really meant what he said. Instead of apologizing, Joshua doubled down on his statement.
“It's my job. We fight, we're licensed to kill,” Joshua said. “I'm sure many people don't understand it but this is what my job is and I just enjoy what I do. Whatever happens, happens. As long as my hand is raised that's what's important, right? Respectfully.
“That's just the mentality we have to have as fighters. I don't know if any other fighter thinks that way. Maybe they're a bit more tamed, but the things I watch and the way my mind works…when you're in that ring it's a dangerous place to be and anything can happen. You hope your opponent leaves the ring safely but if they don't you still have to go to bed at night knowing you just done your job. It wasn't personal [the comment].”
Then Paul, who was sitting just a few feet away, was asked for his response to Joshua again admitting that he would be going into the ring on Friday night with the intention to cause the Youtuber-turned-boxer serious harm.
“Yeah, let's fucking go. Let's fucking go bro,” Paul responded. “Let's put on a show for the fans. Let's go to war. Men have done crazier things throughout human history. This is the modern day gladiator sport. This is what we're here to do, is fuck each other up, and I'm ready. I want his hardest punches. I want there to be no excuses when it's all said and done, and let's fucking kill each other.”
The pair then squared off following the press conference, with Paul jokingly pushing his belly out and touching Joshua’s pectorals with his hands. It seemed as though he was laughing off Joshua’s threats at just a mere stunt to promote their fight.
In reality, fighters do die in the ring. Joshua’s comments, as controversial as they may be, speak to the dangerous reality of the sport.
