Social media boxing star Jake Paul is predicting a big win over two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua at an official launch.
Published November 22, 2025
Jake Paul cheekily predicts his brand will not take a hit in his latest boxing venture, despite suffering a heavy loss to former two-time unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in their first showdown on Friday ahead of their December 19 fight.
In fact, the YouTuber-turned-boxer expects his brand to flourish, predicting that the outcome of his upcoming eight-round Netflix heavyweight boxing bout with Joshua will rival Buster Douglas’ famous February 11, 1990 upset knockout victory over Mike Tyson.
Recommended stories
list of 3 itemsend of list
Paul even predicts the bout, to be held at Miami’s Caseya Center, will end in a fifth-round knockout victory.
“I’m here to go out and shock the world,” Paul said. “I know what I’m capable of. People say, ‘Oh, he’s insane.’ I got to where I am today thanks to delusional optimism. No one expects me to win, so join the list and prepare to be shocked.”
That’s a pretty cheeky statement considering Paul isn’t facing a long-retired champion, former UFC belt holder, former NBA player, or fighter who lost 50 pounds.
Many in the boxing world are wondering why the Paul-Joshua fight was even held when the physical disparity between the two fighters was so obvious at the opening press conference in Miami.
The 1.98m (6ft 6) British athlete towered over Paul, who is listed at 1.85m (6ft 1).
The rules for the fight limit Joshua, who has weighed around 250 pounds in past heavyweight fights, to 245 pounds, compared to Paul, who normally fights at 200 pounds as a cruiserweight.
“He’s one of the greatest heavyweights of all time,” Paul said. “But I think it’s often difficult for heavyweights to fight smaller guys because of the speed difference, the quickness of their feet, the angles. All that power is great. You just have to avoid that shot. I believe I can do it. I know I can pick him off and get some points.”
Joshua: “We have to cut him up.”
This will be Joshua’s first fight since September 2024, when he lost to fellow Briton Daniel Dubois by fifth-round knockout. During the ring break, 36-year-old Joshua also underwent elbow surgery.
“You can’t underestimate anyone. I’m going to take him seriously,” Joshua said. “After a year, I’ve readjusted a lot of things in my life. I’ve been able to get my focus back where it needs to be.”
Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs) acknowledged that if he doesn’t get a knockout victory soon, his standing among the elite heavyweights will be seen as further undermined.
“I’ve seen it, I’ve heard it,” he added. “Like I said with all due respect to Jake, I have to cut him up. I have to dismantle him, I have to hurt him. That’s what we’re doing.”
Paul is in his fifth year of boxing and has a record of 12 wins and 1 loss. His fight record is highlighted by an eight-round decision victory over 58-year-old Tyson in a 2024 tournament that drew 72,300 people at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
