Conor McGregor has delivered a chilling prediction for Jake Paul's professional boxing showdown with Anthony Joshua tonight, claiming the social media star will be 'altered permanently' by the experience.
McGregor's Dire Prediction and Betting Stakes
The former UFC champion, who has launched his own betting venture, did not mince words when assessing the mismatch. McGregor publicly set odds of 11/1 for Joshua to knock Paul out within the first 60 seconds of the bout in Miami. While stating he hasn't placed a personal bet yet, McGregor expressed strong interest in the quick knockout market, describing the fight as an 'absolute layup'.
'Jake is stupid and will be altered permanently from this bout,' McGregor declared on social media. 'I can't just sit idly by and watch it happen without making a cool profit from it too.' He added that the fight, sanctioned as a professional contest despite widespread criticism, is not fixed.
Paul's Defiant Stance and Joshua's Future Plans
Jake Paul, who faces a significant two-stone weight disadvantage and a vast gulf in experience, has remained defiant in the face of such warnings. At the pre-fight press conference, the YouTuber-turned-boxer challenged Joshua to meet him in the centre of the ring for a war.
'Let's f*****g go, bro, let's put on a show for the fans, let's go to war,' Paul said. 'This is the modern-day gladiator sport... I want his hardest punches, I want there to be no excuses.'
For Anthony Joshua, this fight on December 19 marks his return after a knockout loss to Daniel Dubois last summer. A win is crucial for his planned 2026 campaign, which is slated to include a Valentine's Day fight in Saudi Arabia and a potential blockbuster domestic clash with Tyson Fury next September.
Fury Launches Scathing Attack on Joshua
That future opponent, Tyson Fury, has also weighed in this week, launching a furious tirade against Joshua for his pre-fight comments. Fury branded Joshua a 'classless loser' for talking about potentially killing Paul in the ring.
'He's 37 years old at the end of his career, fighting a YouTuber, a Disney Channel guy,' Fury retorted. He warned Joshua, 'If I ever come across you, bum, I'm knocking you dead spark out.' Fury even suggested he would be delighted if the underdog Paul scored a shock victory.
The high-stakes heavyweight clash between Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul will be streamed live on Netflix. UK fans can access the platform for free through Sky's £15 Essential TV bundle.
