In two weeks’ time, Jake Paul will collide with Anthony Joshua in a controversial clash, as he seeks an almighty upset victory that rocks the boxing world. Ahead of the battle, heavyweight rivals Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury have offered contrasting predictions.
A long-time rival of Joshua, Fury continues to be linked to a showdown with his fellow Briton, despite the fact that he is officially retired from boxing. Still, there are suggestions that the pair could finally meet during 2026, with Saudi powerhouse Turki Alalshikh reportedly keen to stage the affair.
Yet, in an interview with Ring Magazine, Fury predicted a surprise victory for ‘The Problem Child’ – a result which would surely put an end to any remaining flickers of hope that the long-awaited grudge match between he and ‘AJ’ may soon take place.
“I don’t know about [this fight being a] tune-up [for Joshua], I think Jake Paul knocks him out.”
“I think that AJ is a spent force, and I think Jake Paul is on the rise. I like his new heavyweight look, he is a bit chubby, a bit bulky, he is getting there.”
Meanwhile, Usyk told Fight Hub TV that Paul will cause no problems at all for Joshua, but admitted that his best wishes are with the American due to his plans to face the YouTuber-turned-boxer in an MMA contest.
“If Anthony Joshua wants [to], Anthony will kill this guy. Listen, there are a lot of questions [about Joshua], blah, blah, blah. My only answer is [that] Anthony Joshua is an Olympic champion, Jake Paul is a sportsman, YouTuber, showman.
“[It is like a] Rolls-Royce, [versus a] Fiat. Listen, it is true. I’m not [trying to be malicious], it’s just true. It [the fight] is [for] business and more money, only this.
“I will pray for Jake Paul because I want a fight with Jake Paul in the Octagon.”
Paul-Joshua will take place on Friday, December 19, at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, and will be available to watch live on Netflix.
