YouTube sensation turned professional boxer Jake Paul has made a stunning prediction ahead of his heavyweight showdown with British icon Anthony Joshua, claiming he will secure a knockout victory in the fifth or sixth round.
Paul's Confident Knockout Timeline
The fight, set for Friday, December 19 in Miami, represents Paul's most formidable challenge to date. Despite being labelled the underdog, the 28-year-old American is brimming with confidence. During a recent face-off, Paul explicitly stated his game plan, saying, "I'm going to knock him out fifth or sixth round."
Paul elaborated on his strategy in an interview with The Pat McAfee Show, explaining he intends to use the early rounds to decipher Joshua's rhythm. "I think it is going to be a very tough fight for multiple rounds," Paul admitted. "But then, when I figure out his pacing, his style, his speed, his footwork, he is going to get tired trying to chase me around, and then I am going to set up the shot." He remained coy about the exact punch but reiterated his belief in a mid-fight stoppage.
Analysing Joshua's Perceived Weaknesses
Paul's confidence stems from a detailed study of Joshua's previous performances. He pointed to specific flaws he believes he can exploit. "His footwork. His rhythm. His speed and crossing his feet," Paul listed. "All of these things are going to have a big play on Friday."
The American cited Joshua's losses to smaller, faster fighters like Andy Ruiz Jr. and Oleksandr Usyk as a blueprint for success. "I think it's his weakness. It's his kryptonite," Paul asserted. "It's the faster guys who do not get hit by his big punches." Furthermore, Paul dismissed Joshua's famed power, claiming, "I don't think he can knock me out because he won't be able to line up his shots properly to land the hard punch."
Path to the Blockbuster Bout
This will be only Paul's second fight at heavyweight. His first was a points victory over boxing legend Mike Tyson in November 2024. He has not fought since a decision win against former champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in June 2025. A planned bout with Gervonta Davis was scrapped last month due to legal allegations against 'Tank'.
Anthony Joshua, the former two-time world champion, steps into the ring expected to dominate, but now faces an opponent publicly outlining how and when he intends to cause a monumental upset. The blockbuster event will be streamed live globally on Netflix. UK fans can access the fight for free by taking advantage of Sky's £15 Essential TV bundle, which includes a Netflix subscription.
As the fight night approaches, the boxing world is captivated by Paul's audacious prediction. Whether it proves to be prescient bravado or a severe miscalculation will be determined in Miami this Friday.
