The mask has fallen: At the weigh-in, Anthony Joshua speaks plainly – and promises Jake Paul a bitter evening in Miami.
The mood has changed. What began surprisingly respectfully for weeks ended with a tough fight announcement at the ceremonial weigh-in in Miami. After the final staredown, Anthony Joshua left no doubt as to how seriously he takes the fight against Jake Paul. “I’m a serious boxer,” Joshua said unequivocally. “You’re going to get beat up real bad.” Words that stuck in the Jackie Gleason Theater – and set the tone for Friday night’s fight at the Kaseya Center. At the official weigh-in, Paul weighed in at 216.6 pounds, with Joshua coming in just under the contracted limit at 243.4 pounds. Eight rounds, heavyweight, 10-ounce gloves – and a much bigger stage: Netflix broadcasts worldwide.
It is Joshua’s first fight since his knockout debacle against Daniel Dubois. The former unified champion and Olympic gold medalist is under pressure: a defeat against a social media star would be hard to explain in sporting terms. Jake Paul, on the other hand, presents himself as a man without fear. “I smell fear,” he countered. “The pressure is on him. For him, it’s lose-lose.” Particularly piquant: it was Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn who once brought Paul into professional boxing – and is now sending Joshua into the race. “Eddie started Jake’s career,” said Joshua. “And now he’s brought me in to finish it.”
Text by Robin Josten