Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua press conference highlights including cold warning

On November 21, at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, the opening press conference for Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua took place. 

The main event and undercard are set for December 19 and will stream live on Netflix to all subscribers. Ahead of this intriguing main event, Paul and Joshua met at the opening presser. Here are the highlights, including a cold warning from AJ.

Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua press conference highlights

Discussing why he’s fighting Joshua, Paul said:

“I like to challenge myself. I like to take on the biggest, the best. I said anyone, anytime, any place – I truly mean that. No one ever thought that this would be possible, that we would be here when I first started boxing, and no one thinks I’m going to win. So join the list and be ready to be shocked.”

Describing his focus and excitement ahead of December 19, Paul added:

“I’ve never been knocked down or knocked out, even in sparring, but I’m in a sport where that happens. This is not a one-sided fight as people think. And I have power, I have the ability to put people to sleep. That’s why I took this challenge – and I know it’s crazy and all of that, but I’m excited. I’m genuinely excited. My team’s excited and everyone believes in me, and that’s all that matters.”

“He’s one of the best heavyweights ever, but I believe that fighting a smaller man is oftentimes harder as a heavyweight because of the speed difference and because of the foot speed, because of the angles, because of the head being off of the center. And so all of that power is great, and he’s knocked people out. I just have to avoid that one shot for eight rounds, and I believe that I can do that.

“So when I’m bouncing around the ring, jabbing, weaving, and doing all of these things, I know I can pick him apart and score points and make this a very, very big contest. People say, “Oh, I respect Jake Paul for getting in there.” No, respect me because I’m about to win,” said Paul, when talking about his confidence.

When asked about who’s under the most pressure, Paul said:

“Anthony. Yeah, 1000%. This is something that’s going to weigh on him, right? Because of what you said. I’m going in there, I can fight free. If he starts getting touched up and losing rounds, I think the cookie will crumble.”

Discussing the significance of the fight, Paul said:

“We’ve been pushing boundaries, and that’s what I’m really here is to be a beacon for kids out there to take inspiration from. That’s one of the biggest things and goals I have in my life, is to show people what the power of self-belief, manifestation, hard work, discipline, and where it can take you, and to take risks…..I’m here to inspire kids and do things differently, and be a disruptor.”

“I think a fourth or fifth round knockout by me. Damn. There it is,” said Paul, revealing his prediction.

AJ talks trainer change and delivers cold message

Revealing how the fight came together, Joshua said:

“It’s great. I think it’s massive. It’s colossal. It’s making big news. We’re bringing marketability together with ability. Those two worlds collide. You’ve got Jake Paul versus Anthony Joshua, and we’re here in Miami. We’re bringing Europe, Africa, Asia, and Nigeria, the whole world together to watch this show on Netflix; it’s going to be phenomenal. And that’s how we ended up here. Basically, two guys that just want to put on a good show.”

Talking honestly about his opinion of Paul:

“Talent focus, good team – nothing negative. He’s here to do his job. I could sit up here and try and address all the things that Jake doesn’t do good, but I’m fighting the Jake that’s going to do everything good on December 19th. So let me focus on that. He’s a good person, does his thing, great team around him, puts in the work, and that’s why he’s sitting here now. Anyone out there in the world that works harder than the next person deserves to be a frontrunner, and he’s a frontrunner in the boxing game right now,” said Joshua.

Discussing his decision to change trainers, Joshua said: 

“I won’t be trained by Ben Davidson. I said that London’s a bit distracting for me, so I was invited to train with Team Usyk. We’ve been doing some good training out in Spain, and I think he’s [Oleksander Usyk] one of the best in the world. And it’s not all down to him; it’s also down to his team that surrounds him. So I linked up with them and [I’m] getting insight into how someone who’s achieved so much. It’s been phenomenal, man. It’s been a great experience, and it’s very challenging.”

Many have speculated about potential clauses that will see Joshua nurse Paul through the fight, while others have speculated about Joshua’s desire. AJ was clear that he won’t be underestimating his opponent:

“He’s been professional now, what, four years? Five, I do believe, right? Five years. So after three years, I was the underdog and no one believed in me – I came up fighting the best in the world. You can’t underestimate anyone.”

Delivering a cold message to Paul, AJ said: “I’m going to bring him to another school of boxing that I don’t think he’s been exposed to yet. So there’s a few tricks I have up my sleeve to show Jake on December 19th.”

Stay with Big Fight Weekend for coverage of Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua, including results and video highlights, and post-fight analysis.