One of Jake Paul’s defining characteristics is the way he taunts his opponents. The influencer-turned-boxer doesn’t hold back when it comes to mocking his rivals, regardless of their ranking. However, in the lead-up to his December fight against Anthony Joshua, the “Problem Child” has completely changed his approach.
Paul has fought 13 times in five years in boxing, against increasingly dangerous opponents, most recently retired world champions Mike Tyson and Julio César Chávez Jr. So far, his record is 12-1.
No matter the opponent, Paul always finds a way to make the lead-up to the fight almost as exciting as the bout itself. One example is the “fatty” costume he wore when Tyson claimed he was overweight.
The press conferences leading up to his fights are a circus, in which Paul usually takes charge, trying to unnerve his opponents. However, his most recent encounter with the media was completely different.
Paul shows unexpected respect for Joshua
In the first press conference leading up to the December 19 fight, Joshua announced that he had begun training with the team of his former rival, Oleksandr Usyk, whom he described as one of the best in the world.
Paul, for his part, appeared suspiciously respectful. He admitted that the English fighter is one of the best of all time, but expressed confidence that he can pull off an upset in the fight to be held at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida.
“He’s one of the best heavyweights ever, but I believe that fighting a smaller man is often harder as a heavyweight because of the speed difference and the foot speed and angles,”
He warned that punching power isn’t everything. “All that power is great, and he’s knocked people out. I just have to avoid that one shot for eight rounds, and I believe I can do that,” he explained.
Jake admitted that this is his toughest fight yet
Like almost everything the “Problem Child” does, this fight is surrounded by controversy. The only fight Paul has had at heavyweight was a year ago against a 58-year-old Mike Tyson, but Joshua is a whole different beast, and Jake knows it.
“I know this is much more challenging, but I know what I’m capable of,” Paul insisted. “This is going to cut me up. I want him to break my face, but guess what? He’s going to have to kill me to stop me, and I’m seriously ready to die.”
With the fight less than a month away, we will soon know if Paul will live up to his word.
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