Youtuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul is in for a nasty surprise when he steps into the ring against Anthony Joshua on December 19, heavyweight Otto Wallin has told Reuters, describing the British boxer as the hardest hitter he has ever faced.

Wallin faced Joshua twice as an amateur, losing both bouts, but that didn’t stop him pushing for a professional contest which took place in Riyadh in December 2023.

Wallin’s corner called a stop to that fight after five rounds, leaving the big Swede with some painful memories.

“For Jake Paul, I think it’s pretty dangerous to face Joshua because he hits so incredibly hard. I know that – he hits like no other I’ve ever faced,” Wallin said, a note of incredulity in his voice that the fight was taking place at all.

“I don’t understand why Jake Paul is taking this fight – they must be seriously underestimating Joshua, but I don’t think I’ll believe the fight is happening until they’re actually in the ring.”

At a recent press conference to publicise the fight, which is due to take place over eight three-minute rounds in Miami, the 36-year-old Joshua towered over Paul, who usually boxes at cruiserweight.

Oleksandr Usyk v Daniel Dubois – Undisputed World Heavyweight Title – BoxPark Wembley, London, Britain – July 19, 2025 Jake Paul in the ring after Oleksandr Usyk won his fight against Daniel Dubois Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

For Wallin, who built his reputation with a tremendous display of courage to take Tyson Fury the distance in Las Vegas in 2019, the match-up is a handy one for Joshua.

“He’s facing a cruiserweight that isn’t that good. It should be just a simple win for Joshua, and he’ll make a lot of money from it. It’s a dangerous sport and he (Paul) can get knocked out badly and injured in this match,” he said.

Though he absorbed a lot of heavy blows from Fury in their epic contest, Wallin says there is no doubt that “AJ”, who has recorded 25 of his 28 professional victories via knockout, is far more dangerous, and he points to Joshua’s second-round KO of former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou as evidence.

“Joshua hits unbelievably hard, harder than anyone I’ve ever known. Just look at what he did against Ngannou, and he’s bigger and stronger and better than Jake Paul,” he said.

Though many in the boxing world have looked down on “influencer boxers” such as Paul, Wallin has spoken positively in the past about how they are attracting a new audience to the sport, but he is doubtful that Paul has even the slightest chance against a former world champion.

“I think that Joshua wins pretty easily and pretty quickly – he knocked out Ngannou in two rounds, and Jake Paul won’t take that long either,” he said.

-Reuters

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Anthony Joshua has been conspicuously left out of Oleksandr Usyk’s plans after the unified heavyweight world champion named Deontay Wilder — not the British star — as his top choice for a blockbuster return fight in 2026.

Usyk, 38, who became a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion after defeating Britain’s Daniel Dubois in London in July, confirmed he still intends to fight for another two years. Despite vacating his WBO title — a move that elevated Britain’s Fabio Wardley to full champion — Usyk retains the WBA, WBC and IBF belts.

But while fans have long speculated about a potential showdown with Joshua for a third time, the Ukrainian made it clear Joshua is not on his immediate radar.

Speaking to Boxing King Media, Usyk said:

“I continue fighting next year. I want to fight Deontay Wilder. I think it’s interesting.”

The choice raises eyebrows, given Wilder’s recent struggles. Since being stopped twice by Tyson Fury in their trilogy, the 40-year-old American has endured consecutive defeats to Joseph Parker in 2023 and Zhilei Zhang in 2024. After more than a year away from action, Wilder returned with a TKO win over Tyrrell Anthony Herndon in June — but remains far from his career peak.

Yet Usyk insists Wilder is the opponent he wants most.

“He is a world champion guy. A very famous and strong guy,” Usyk said. “One of the great heavyweights of the last 10 years. I spoke with my team and said he is the first option.”

For Joshua, who is rebuilding and remains one of boxing’s biggest commercial draws, Usyk’s comments signal a clear shift in the heavyweight landscape — and a reminder that, for now, the champion’s future plans may not include him.

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Jake Paul says he’s willing to go where most fighters won’t.

At the first faceoff in Miami, the size gap was glaring with the 6-foot-6 Anthony Joshua towering over the 6-foot-1 Paul, but the message from the smaller man was louder.

“I just have to avoid that one shot for eight rounds, and I believe that I can do that,” Paul said. “I want him to cut me up. I want him to break my face, but guess what? He’s going to have to kill me to stop me, and I’m ready to die. Seriously. Ready to die in the ring to win this fight.”

Joshua and Paul meet Dec. 19 at the Kaseya Center in Miami in an eight-round heavyweight bout streamed by Netflix.

Paul is leaning on belief and a game plan built on speed, angles and discipline. He called Joshua one of the best heavyweights ever.

“I like to challenge myself. I like to take on the biggest, the best. I said anyone, anytime, any place,” Paul said. “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.”

For his part, Joshua embraced the spectacle and the risk.

“It’s massive. It’s colossal. It’s making big news. We’re bringing marketability together with ability,” Joshua said. “If I’m going to be honest, I’m going to break his face, I’m going to break his body up, I’m going to stomp all over him.”

The rules add a wrinkle. Joshua must weigh no more than 245 pounds at the official weigh-in. He’s hovered at 250 pounds or more in recent outings. Paul, who was slimming down for a canceled Gervonta Davis date, expects to come in between 215 and 225 after bulking back up.

There’s history on both sides. Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs) remains one of the heavyweight division’s most destructive punchers. Paul (12-1, 7 KOs) has stacked names, from Tyron Woodley to Anderson Silva to a decision over 59-year-old Mike Tyson, and he has built a team he trusts.

“People say, ‘I respect Jake Paul for getting in there,’” Paul said. “No. Respect me because I’m about to win.”

-Reuters

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