One of Jake Paul’s sparring partners has explained why he’s ‘concerned’ for the ‘Problem Child’ ahead of his professional heavyweight bout against Anthony Joshua.
The highly anticipated fight between Paul and Joshua is just days away, with fans keen to see how a relatively novice boxer deals with one of the best heavyweights of the current generation.
The bout, scheduled for eight three-minute rounds, will be sanctioned by the Florida Athletic Commission and will take place in Miami, with both fighters set to wear 10-oz gloves.
Paul, a natural cruiserweight, is unlikely to cut weight as he moves up to heavyweight, while Joshua cannot weigh more than 17st 7lb on the day of the weigh-in.
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Many boxing experts have suggested that the bout is a mismatch and voiced concerns for Paul’s safety, as he has never been in with a fighter as skilled or powerful as Joshua, who has shared a ring with talented operators such as Oleksandr Usyk, Joseph Parker and Wladimir Klitschko.
Meanwhile, at first glance, Paul’s record consists of wins over combat sports icons such as Mike Tyson, Nate Diaz and Tyron Woodley.
However, most of the opponents have been fighters well past their primes or boxing for the first time as a professional, having previously fought in MMA, with Tyson being 58 years of age when he fought Paul in November 2024.
And despite the odds being stacked against him, the ever-confident Paul has promised to pull off what would be one of the biggest upsets the sport of boxing has ever seen.
Throughout training, the American has welcomed quality sparring partners, including Jared Anderson, Frank Sanchez and Lawrence Okolie, to his camp despite the latter previously voicing concerns for Paul’s safety earlier this year.
Londoner Okolie, who has held world titles at bridgerweight and cruiserweight, was asked for his thoughts on Paul fighting Joshua before the bout was announced earlier this year.
After admitting that he couldn’t see the fight happening, Okolie told talkSPORT: “Someone who has been a unified heavyweight world champion going in against Jake Paul doesn’t [sit right]. I’m also talking from a health and safety factor. He’s [Paul] maybe a cruiserweight [and] Anthony Joshua is a very big, strong heavyweight. If he turns it on, it’s not just the risk of a knockout, but it’s a much bigger risk.”
And Okolie himself has since shared a ring with Paul, with images suggesting that the Englishman gave the American a black eye in a sparring session.
In an Instagram post alongside Paul just last week, Okolie said: “This is a game of black eyes, broken jaws, dehydration and even death. All whilst pundits and fans who’ve never thrown a punch throw dirt on your name. Above all – Don’t be humble, Dare to be great.”
Topics: Jake Paul, Anthony Joshua, Boxing, Heavyweight Boxing
Luke Davies