British heavyweight star Anthony Joshua has delivered a confident—and at times fierce—message to Jake Paul ahead of their unusual but highly anticipated boxing match on 19 December at Miami’s Kaseya Center. The bout has captured global attention because of the massive gap in experience between the two men, yet both fighters appeared calm and respectful during their first promotional event.

Joshua Promises a One-Sided Fight

Joshua, a former two-time unified heavyweight champion, made it clear he intends to show the world the difference between an elite fighter and an inexperienced one.

Joshua said he plans to “dominate”, adding that his “fighter’s mentality” means he intends to overwhelm Paul physically and mentally.

He emphasized that he wants to prove he’s the superior athlete and that the fight is part of a renewed focus on his boxing career after taking time away to rebuild his training team and motivation.

Paul Targets Big Names but Joshua Stays Focused

Although known for his bold trash talk, Jake Paul took a different approach, keeping things relatively respectful toward Joshua. Instead, Paul shifted his verbal shots toward other fighters, including Francis Ngannou, Tommy Fury, and Ryan Garcia, claiming they avoided fights with him.

Paul also hinted at a plan to face Tyson Fury next year—something Joshua brushed off with humor, even declining a public bet Fury suggested on the outcome of the matchup.

A Massive Size and Experience Gap

The face-off highlighted the physical difference between the fighters: Joshua stands five inches taller and has spent his career fighting world-class heavyweights such as Wladimir Klitschko, Oleksandr Usyk, and Joseph Parker.

Paul, by contrast, has boxed mostly crossover athletes and celebrities since turning pro. He suffered a loss to Tommy Fury in 2023 but has remained a major commercial figure in the sport.

Despite the mismatch on paper, their December bout includes special conditions:

• Joshua must weigh under 17st 7lb (111kg)
• Both fighters will wear 10oz gloves
• Joshua has been training with Oleksandr Usyk’s coaching team

Joshua explained he recently took a step back from boxing to “reset” and rebuild his support team, saying he feels more focused than he has in years.

Concerns Over Safety and Competitiveness

The fight has raised questions within the boxing community due to the clear differences in size, strength, and experience. Paul used dramatic language to express his readiness for the challenge, though commentators have stressed the importance of safety given the unusual matchup. Joshua didn’t respond to that specific comment but reiterated he intends to do his job professionally and responsibly.

Joshua’s Return and Massive Earnings

Joshua, who last fought in September 2024, is also expected to earn an estimated £36.9m ($50m) for the December fight. He originally planned to compete in Saudi Arabia this year but said this matchup fit well with his updated training and long-term goals.

With Joshua chasing a return to the top of the heavyweight division and Paul seeking the biggest win of his career, their December clash has become one of the most talked-about events of 2025.