Joshua can kill Paul – Usyk

Former undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has expressed genuine concern for Jake Paul ahead of his December 19 fight against Anthony Joshua, warning that the British-Nigerian boxer could “kill” the YouTuber-turned-boxer

The Ukrainian, who has gone 24 rounds with Joshua across two fights without ever being beaten, believes the size and experience difference between the two fighters could prove catastrophic for Paul.

There is a staggering 52lb difference between their last recorded fight weights, and Joshua also has a five-inch height advantage over the American.

“If Anthony Joshua wants, he will kill this guy. Listen, a lot of questions, blah, blah, blah… Anthony Joshua is an Olympic champion, first. Jake Paul, yeah, a sportsman, a YouTuber, a showman. Joshua is Rolls-Royce; Jake is a Fiat,” Usyk told Boxing Scene.

“Listen, it’s true. It’s just true… Yes, I will pray (for) Jake Paul. Because I want to fight with Jake Paul in the octagon,” Usyk added.

Having moved up from cruiserweight to heavyweight himself, Usyk knows exactly what it means to step in with a much bigger opponent. The Ukrainian was considered by many as one of the greatest cruiserweights ever before moving up and finding similar success at heavyweight, becoming undisputed champion twice despite always giving up size.

However, Usyk stressed that Paul’s situation is vastly different from his own experience. Before turning professional in 2020, when Joshua had already been unified champion twice, Paul had only fought once in an amateur white-collar bout. By that time, Joshua was already an Olympic gold medallist.

Usyk recently squared up with Paul in hopes of building momentum for a potential MMA fight, but any hopes of that happening depend on Paul surviving his encounter with Joshua at the Kaseya Centre in Miami.

Paul holds a 12-1 professional record built mostly against limited or faded opposition, with his only defeat coming against Tommy Fury in 2023.