Anthony Joshua has opened up on the reasons as to why he accepted a controversial fight against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul next month.
AJ and ‘The Problem Child’ will take to the ring in Miami on December 19, with the bout, which will be streamed live on Netflix, to consist of eight three-minute rounds and have professional status.
The Brit hasn’t fought since he was knocked out by Daniel Dubois at Wembley in September 2024 when the pair faced off for the IBF heavyweight title.
Joshua’s decision to accept Paul’s challenge, which will see him earn £70million, has caused contention for a variety of reasons, including questions about how it will impact his legacy and the perceived mismatch of the bout.
And, speaking at a press conference in Miami, Joshua gave his side of the story.
‘Thank you for having me,’ he began. ‘You’ve got to give credit to Jake and his team. They reached out to me to be fair.
‘It was a great opportunity for me, an opportunity for me to fight. I wanted to take 12 months out of the game (after Dubois). I’ve done that and it was time to get back to work.
‘I was planning on fighting anyway, actually I would’ve been fighting this weekend if I had it my way. And this opportunity presented itself and I thought, “yeah, why not”.’
Joshua went on to express his excitement at what was in store over the next month given all the noise the fight has generated.
‘It’s great,’ he added. ‘It’s massive, colossal, it’s making big news, we’re bringing marketability together with ability. Those two worlds collide.
‘You’ve got Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua and we’re here in Miami. We’re bringing Europe, Africa, Asia, 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 really – two guys that want to put on a good show.’
Joshua was also pressed on the criticism he has received, yet he insisted he is nonplussed by negative comments.
‘I just address people that are for me,’ the Brit said. ‘I don’t address people that are against me. It’s basics.
‘People ask me about negative comments, and I say: “why am I worried about negative comments and people that don’t believe in what I’m doing”.
‘I’ve got nothing to say to those people because they don’t even come into my psyche.’
The press conference was generally positive, in stark comparison to some of the bad blood that developed ahead of Paul’s fight against Tommy Fury in 2023.
Joshua even praised the American, labelling him a ‘frontrunner in the boxing game’, although he did say he plans to ‘hurt him’ – and he also found time to aim a dig at long-time rival Tyson Fury.
‘I take it (Paul) seriously,’ Joshua added when asked about his preparations for the fight. ‘He’s a conqueror. His mentality is solid, he’s better than Tyson Fury. He’s sitting here so I take him seriously and will give him the respect he deserves.’
