Anthony Joshua has refused to back down from his provocative remarks about Jake Paul, doubling down on a controversial comment that has dominated the build-up to their fight.
In Miami this week, the two-time former world heavyweight champion was asked whether he would hold back against his YouTuber-turned-boxer opponent, who is seen as a significant underdog in Friday’s contest. Joshua’s blunt response if I can kill you, I will kill you sparked widespread reaction, not just from fans but from within the boxing community.
Joshua, 36, defended his words at a packed news conference, insisting his mindset simply reflects the harsh reality of professional boxing. “It’s my job we fight, we have a licence to kill,” he said, adding that the comment was about the intensity and danger inherent in the sport, not personal malice. He stressed that while every boxer hopes their opponent walks out of the ring safely, a fighter must be prepared to go all out once the bell rings.
The choice of words has drawn sharp criticism from some quarters. Former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury labelled the remark “classless” and took to social media to mock Joshua, questioning both his words and his decision to face Paul so late in his career. Fury’s comments underlined how the build-up to this bout has strayed far from traditional boxing narratives.
Paul, for his part, has matched Joshua’s combative tone. Embracing the gladiator imagery, the 28-year-old said he’s ready for a war in the ring and wants “no excuses” when it’s all over, a sentiment that keeps the hype machine running at full throttle.
The bout, scheduled for eight rounds with 10-ounce gloves at the Kaseya Center in Miami, has been met with mixed opinions. Critics have questioned the size and experience gap between the fighters, while others see the event as another example of crossover stars drawing mainstream attention to boxing.
With fight night just days away, Joshua insists his focus remains firmly on winning. Whatever the criticism, he says his job as a professional boxer is to bring intensity and a brutal competitive edge to every fight and he’s not shy about saying so.
