‘Saviour’ Joshua to pummel Paul for the good of the sport

MEXICO CITY, Dec 15 : Anthony Joshua says boxing needs saving — and he is happy to play the hero — as the former heavyweight champion prepares to face YouTube star-turned-boxer Jake Paul in Miami on December 19.

The fight, which pits the former twice unified heavyweight champion against the social media celebrity, has attracted its fair share of critics. Former WBC heavyweight titleholder Deontay Wilder has dismissed it as a ‘money grab’ while some of Joshua’s previous opponents have raised concerns for relative novice Paul’s safety in the ring against one of boxing's heaviest hitters.

Joshua is no stranger to crossover clashes, knocking out former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou after just two rounds in March 2024. The London 2012 Olympic gold medallist told Reuters he is aiming for another statement win against Paul.

“I've been called out of my hiatus to save boxing once again,” said Joshua, referring to his year out of the ring after losing his last fight against Daniel Dubois in a fifth-round stoppage.

“I'm the saviour. I saved boxing from Ngannou and now I have to save boxing from Jake Paul,” Joshua added, embracing the biblical symbolism of his surname.

Since first entering the ring in 2020, Paul has amassed a 12-1 record with 7 knockout wins. In that time the former YouTube-prankster and Disney Channel star has fought and beaten other influencers, basketball star Nate Robinson and a host of MMA champions, including Anderson Silva and Tyron Woodley.

Such a record pales in comparison to Joshua, who has fought some of the heavyweight division’s greatest champions in Wladimir Klitschko and Oleksandr Usyk. At their November 21 face-off, 6’6 Joshua towered over 6’1 Paul, and the British veteran is expecting an easy