MIAMI – Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua faced off for the final time ahead of their much anticipated fight Friday night here at the Kesaya Center.
The bout has raised eyebrows ever since it was signed last month, and as the contest gets closer, it becomes more real. At Thursday’s ceremonial weigh-in, it became clear just how ludicrous the thought of Paul – a former YouTube star and now makeshift boxer – taking on one of the best heavyweights of this generation in Anthony Joshua really is.
The former two-time heavyweight champion looked in incredible shape as he was raised into the air by the platform beneath him. Paul, who was also raised up on the other side of the stage, flexed his muscles in an attempt to draw attention, but he could not compete with the Adonis across from him. The pair were then lowered, and Joshua waited center stage for his foe to approach. Paul crawled along the floor before rising into Joshua’s face. The pair had kept things relatively humorous all week, but the pleasantries were gone and the tensions started to rise.
Paul ran his mouth at Joshua and poked around oddly at his midsection. Joshua didn’t take kindly to it, grabbing Paul’s hand and telling him to stop.
“It’s all good. As long as the crowd enjoyed it, that’s the main thing,” said Joshua after the face-off. “There’s a mutual respect there because we’re two fighters getting in the ring, but ultimately I have to be victorious. Now the games are done. It’s time to lock in. I said, ‘Don’t touch me,’ nothing else. You know my character, right? We don’t need antics here. But you know in the ring, you know what I come to do.”
In the build-up to Joshua’s previous contest, a knockout loss to Daniel Dubois back in September last year, he had asked fans to pray for him ahead of fight night. Things were a little different this time.
“I want you to pray for me. I want you to pray for my opponent, because he’s going to need it,” he said. “I’m just going to outclass this kid, that’s all it is. I’m a serious fighter. That’s just the difference. I’m a serious, serious fighter. You’re going to get fucked up. It is what it is. I’m going to smash him. I’m going to smoke your boy.”
Paul, who was watching from a few feet away, instantly reacted to Joshua’s threats and met him in the center of the stage.
“He’s top-heavy. Look at them legs. Chicken legs,” Paul said in response. “I smell fear. I see something in his eyes – I truly do. The pressure is on him. I’m fighting free. I’ve already won. It’s a lose-lose situation for him. I’ve got him in the corner, right where I want him.”
Many who have been following this contest believe Paul, a novice cruiserweight, is absolutely mad for taking on Joshua, one of the best heavyweights in the sport.
“I’m here to show the world what’s possible, show kids what’s possible with self-belief,” Paul said of the naysayers. “That’s what this whole fight is all about. I’m here to change the sport. I’m here to inspire the next generation of athletes to chase their goals and do the unthinkable. I can’t imagine this, man. It’s a testament to God and the journey he has put me on.”
Paul was then asked for his prediction for the fight.
“Probably a sixth- or seventh-round knockout. I’m fucking him up!” he screamed before leaving the stage.
The mic then returned to Joshua, who stood with his long-time promoter, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing (who coincidentally promoted Paul’s professional debut in Miami back in 2020).
“This man right here [Eddie Hearn] started Jake’s pro career,” said Joshua. “He helped Jake have his pro debut, and he’s brought me in to end Jake Paul’s boxing career.”
The final words were given to Hearn, and again he warned Paul of what was coming Friday night.
“Respect to Jake Paul,” Hearn said. “Good luck. Tomorrow it all ends. Stay safe.”
Tom Ivers is a lifelong fight fan and former amateur boxer who has a master’s degree in sports journalism. He had his first bout in 2013 and spent the majority of his career at the Salisbury Amateur Boxing Club in Liverpool, England, where he won two regional titles. Tom joined BoxingScene in 2024 and is now a key part of the UK and social media teams. You can reach him @tomosivers on X and Instagram.
