Anthony Joshua breaks silence on ‘fixed’ Jake Paul fight claims | Boxing | Sport
Anthony Joshua has confirmed that no clause in his contract will compel him to take it easy against Jake Paul. There are rumours that the two-time heavyweight champion will purposely not give it his all when they fight in Miami on December 19.
Joshua has told TMZ: “There is no clause. I heard he fought Mike Tyson in 140z gloves and that he was going to fight Gervonta [Davis] in 12oz gloves, and then he chose to fight me in 10oz gloves, so there’s no clause.” He continued: “God, he wants to go easy. I think he wants to hurt me. I think he wants to take me out.”
Joshua also reiterated that stance during the same interview. “I understand people’s concerns, but they have to start believing in Jake. They don’t believe because they can’t get their head around how he beat those guys.
“How did he beat Anderson Silva, how did he beat Nate Diaz, how did he beat Mike Tyson? I’m telling you there is no stipulation in the contract where I have to take it easy.”
The heavyweight’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has also mocked suggestions that there is any script for the fighters to follow. He told iFL TV: “Let me tell you the script for AJ against Jake Paul: The bell’s going to go, AJ’s going to go out, take the middle of the ring, and he’s going to unload the heaviest artillery on Jake Paul’s chin he can as quickly as possible, and he’s going to knock him spark out.
“If you think this is scripted, wait till you see what happens on December 19, because you will go, ‘F*** me! One thing’s for sure, that wasn’t scripted.'”
However, the fighters are contractually obliged to comply with a 245lb limit. Joshua believes that having to make that weight is beneficial for himself.
He said: “If I’m honest with you, I really do like this weight, you know. It’s actually been a blessing in disguise that this task was put upon me because I feel good.
“I look back and think, ‘What was I doing carrying that weight? Where was my mind at?’ I’ve obviously pushed myself with my cardio, so that means I’m getting fitter. Maybe I wasn’t training hard enough, and that’s why I wasn’t losing the weight. I’m super fit, and I’ve actually lost weight in the process of getting super fit.
“It’s not even like I’ve tried to make the weight. We just upped the cardio and upped the rounds in the gym. You need to work harder, that’s all that comes down to. You got lazy, champ, and that’s why you’re putting on all this weight.”
