Anthony Joshua will step into the ring with a colossal weight advantage over Jake Paul when the pair meet for their highly anticipated boxing match in Miami this Friday night.
A Significant Weight Disparity
At the official weigh-in, Anthony Joshua scaled 243.4lb, while his opponent, Jake Paul, came in at 216.4lb. This gives the former unified world champion a substantial two-stone (30lb) weight advantage for the bout. Interestingly, both fighters came in under the unique 245lb limit that was specifically imposed on Joshua, despite the contest being staged at heavyweight.
"Licence to Kill" Comments Reignite Controversy
The build-up to the fight took a dark turn during Wednesday's press conference. Joshua reiterated his stark warning that Paul is "risking his life," stating that boxers possess a "licence to kill." This follows comments made during open workouts where Joshua declared, "If I can kill you, I will kill you."
When asked to respond to criticism of these remarks, including from Tyson Fury who labelled him a "classless loser," Joshua was unrepentant. "That's my job. We fight. We have a licence to kill," he said. "Many people don't understand it, but this is what my job is."
Experience Gap and Future Ambitions
The fight has drawn scrutiny due to the vast gulf in experience and class between the two men. Joshua, an elite-level heavyweight with multiple world titles, faces Paul, a cruiserweight rookie whose professional record stands at 12 wins and one defeat.
Despite the daunting challenge, Paul appeared unfazed. "I'm ready. I want his hardest punches," he stated. The social media star turned boxer, who earlier this week spoke of creating the biggest upset in sporting history, also shared a future wishlist of opponents including Tyson Fury, Terence Crawford, and Canelo Alvarez.
Paul made a bold claim about his impact on the sport, saying, "No one's done more for the sport of boxing in the last decade than myself. I think if people really cared about boxing, they'd want me to win."
The result could have implications for the British heavyweight scene, with a long-awaited showdown between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury being lined up for later next year. Fury has already used social media to attack his rival in the lead-up to Friday's event.
