Jake Paul has vowed that he is “ready to die” in the ring if Anthony Joshua is to defeat him in Miami next month.
The pair announced that they would face off in the unlikeliest of heavyweight bouts at the Kaseya Center in Florida, and the duo came face to face for the first time at their launch press conference on Friday.
The Briton, 36, the former world heavyweight champion, will take to the ring after 15 months out, having been defeated by Daniel Dubois in his most recent outing.
The controversial Paul, 28, is 12-1 as a professional, and beat Julio Chavez Jr in his last fight by decision.
In response to Joshua’s prediction that he would “cut him up, break him up, and stomp all over him”, the American replied: “I want him to cut me up, I want him to break my face.
“He’s going to have to kill me. I’m seriously ready to die.”
Host Ariel Helwani’s opening question was directed at Paul, simply asking if the Ohio native was “alright, my man”.
“I like to take on the biggest and the best,” the YouTuber-turned-boxer responded.
“I said anyone, anytime, any place, and I truly mean that. I’m here to go out and shock the world. I know what I’m capable of. I see him, and what he’s capable of. We’re going to go to war.”
Interestingly, Joshua revealed that he would not be trained by Ben Davison - who has coached him since December 2023 - instead travelling to Spain to work with Oleksandr Usyk’s camp.
The Briton explained that he had not sparred the Ukrainian, who has defeated him twice.
Joshua was also asked about a potential Tyson Fury bout, with Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn revealing previously that plans were underway to lure the Gypsy King out of retirement for a heavyweight super-fight.
However, he laughed off Fury’s recent claim that he would bet £1million on Paul.
“I’m not worried with what Tyson Fury is saying,” Joshua said.
“It’s not about the money. I’m betting on myself.”
