Next Friday, Anthony Joshua takes on Jake Paul in a controversial heavyweight clash in Miami.
YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul has been written off by the masses throughout his professional boxing career, with fans — and even some high profile names in the sport — suggesting that his fights are fixed, scripted or have conditions for opponents to not give 100%. Paul’s promotional company, MVP, has responded in the strongest of terms, threatening legal action and pointing out that such actions are a federal crime.
Despite that, should Paul register a Buster Douglas-style upset in Miami, he will undoubtedly face more of the same online.
In an interview with TMZ Sports, Joshua said that he ‘understands those concerns’ but assured his fans that his fight, and indeed all of those previous, is a genuine one.
“I understand their concerns, but this is the thing with Jake, they have got to start believing in him. They don’t believe it because they’re saying, ‘how is he beating these guys?’.
“I think they [the fans] can’t get their heads around how he has beaten Anderson Silva, how did he beat Nate Diaz? How did he beat Mike Tyson?
“I am telling you, there is no stipulation in the contract where I have to take it easy on him.”
Paul-Joshua will be an eight-round affair with 10-ounce gloves and will be available to watch live on Netflix with a standard subscription. Joshua has said he is looking to produce a stoppage as quick as possible, something many fear could cause serious damage.