We make our selection for the eagerly-anticipated heavyweight encounter in Miami in the early hours of Saturday morning.
British heavyweight Anthony Joshua will make his return to the ring on Saturday when he takes on Jake Paul in Miami.
It is still hard to believe that the two-time heavyweight champion is facing the former YouTuber star, but Paul has put himself in the firing line as he tries to send shockwaves through boxing by pulling off a sensational upset.
Paul was originally expected to take on Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis in a catchweight contest, but once that bout fell through, he instead gave himself the toughest assignment of his career.
Selection
Under 2.5 Rounds @ 6/5
Joshua to make a mockery of Paul
When rumours surfaced that Paul and Joshua had agreed terms, it was hard not to think it was the work of AI.
Paul has spent the majority of his fighting career facing non-boxers. He was beaten by Tommy Fury in February 2023 in Saudi Arabia, but the biggest win of his career came in June, when he beat Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
While Chavez Jr is a former world champion, he was way past his best when the pair fought.
To Paul’s credit, he has an incredible ability to sell a fight and attract fans, but this should be a step too far.
‘The Problem Child’ should realise he has more than enough problems on his hands once he gets into the ring with Joshua.
Joshua is a former Olympic gold medallist and a two-time heavyweight champion of the world.
It could be argued that Joshua is sometimes not given the credit he deserves for his professional career and he has only lost four times.
While his defeat to Daniel Dubois was a big blow, he is still one of the best heavyweights on the planet and he can change a fight with one punch.
His decision to train under Team Usyk should only sharpen his defence and take his boxing to another level.
Coach Iegor Golub will be the man in his corner and he has worked alongside the likes of Oleksandr Usyk and Vasily Lomachenko in the past.
In reality, Joshua could have nobody in his corner and still win this fight. He has the superior power and height and reach advantage.
The only question ahead of the bout should be what round does he want to win in? Joshua’s name will be tarnished the longer the fight goes on and this should be the easiest night of work he has had for many years.
Paul will get credit for taking a risk, but it could be blind stupidity that puts him in a dangerous position against one of the biggest hitters in boxing in the last decade.
The last time Joshua faced a ‘crossover’ opponent, he quickly had Francis Ngannou on the canvas.
Paul has no right to share the ring with Joshua on previous performances and he should find out inside two rounds that he made a big mistake in facing the British star.
