Anthony Joshua didn't hold back when reacting to Tyson Fury's £1million bet on Jake Paul to knock him out.
After a 14 month break outside of the ring, British heavyweight legend Joshua will make his return on December 19 in a bout with YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul.
Last time out, Joshua suffered a devastating knockout loss to fellow British heavyweight Daniel Dubois in September 2024, with Paul's last fight being a unanimous decision win over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in June.
Given the difference in experience between the two men, Joshua is a heavy favourite to win the bout, prompting the Brit's rival Fury to promise that he would be betting on Paul to win the fight via knockout.
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And now, Joshua has responded to Fury's claim with a promise heading into a potential bout with his fellow British heavyweight next year.
Before the fight between Joshua and Paul was officially confirmed, rumours linking the pair had been circulating for months as reports suggested that it was realistic possibility.
Of course, Fury, who has been teasing a fight with Joshua for years, took the opportunity to further wind up his countryman, promising to bet a stunning amount on Paul to win the matchup.
Reacting to the reports at the time in August, Fury claimed: "Jake Paul chins AJ, yes. 100 per cent. If they fight, I'm putting a million pounds on Jake Paul."
Fury later added: "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."
However, when asked to respond to Fury's claim, Joshua remained adamant that it didn't bother him and that he remained purely focused on his upcoming fight with Paul, despite promoter Eddie Hearn already speaking about what's next for his fighter.
"I'm not worried about what Tyson Fury's got to say," Joshua hit back during Friday's press conference.
"It ain't even about the money. I'm betting on myself, I'm focusing on myself.
"I ain't worried about what anyone has got to say. I'm not here for any of that betting or nonsense - I'm here to fight, and that's all it is.
"Once I get the job done, collect my cheque, cash it, and I'm going to focus on the next one. My bet is on me doing a number on [Paul], that's all there is to it."
But Joshua didn't stop there, as he took time in the press conference to lash out at Fury, suggesting that the former unified champion was ducking their rumoured fight.
"He's a conquerer, his mentality is solid," Joshua said of Paul.
"He's better than Tyson Fury - he's actually sitting here. I take him seriously, I give him the respect he deserves."
Topics: Anthony Joshua, Jake Paul, Tyson Fury, Boxing, Eddie Hearn
Ben McCrum