Anthony Joshua Targets Knockout of Tyson Fury After Jake Paul Fight

Former two-time world champion Anthony Joshua has promised to knock out heavyweight rival Tyson Fury after facing YouTuber Jake Paul in a sanctioned heavyweight match on March 15, 2024. Joshua, who has not fought in 15 months, stands to earn an impressive $92 million for his fight against the social media star, aiming to deliver a reality check before shifting his focus to Fury.

With a long-standing rivalry spanning over a decade, Joshua and Fury have yet to meet in the ring. They are scheduled to face each other next September, provided Joshua secures victory in Miami against Paul and both fighters successfully navigate warm-up matches in the spring. Joshua’s words come after Fury accused him of making “classless” comments ahead of the upcoming bout.

Joshua vs. Paul: The Immediate Challenge

As Joshua prepares for his clash with Paul, he remains adamant about concentrating on the task at hand. In response to Fury’s remarks regarding his ability to defeat Paul, Joshua stated on The Ring podcast, “I’m in my own lane, and I’m fighting Jake; he is my focus. Tyson can sit around doing videos, but he’s not the one getting in the ring; Jake is.” His comments highlight a sense of urgency and determination to assert his position in the heavyweight division.

Joshua expressed his frustration with Fury’s distractions, adding, “Why am I sitting around waiting for a guy that likes to do more Instagram videos than fight? I’m looking for real fighters, and Tyson’s not a real fighter in my eyes.” He further emphasized his desire to “humble” Fury, stating, “If I ever got the opportunity, I’ll make sure I lay him flat on his back and that’s it.”

Paul’s Ambitions and Joshua’s Strength

Despite the significant disparity in experience and physical size between Joshua and Paul, the latter is unperturbed by the upcoming challenge. Paul, who boasts a record of 12 victories and one loss, declared, “I’m ready. I want his hardest punches.” His ambition includes not only defeating Joshua but also facing other boxing greats such as Fury, Terence Crawford, and Canelo Alvarez.

Paul is determined to make a mark in the boxing world, claiming, “No one’s done more for the sport of boxing in the last decade than myself. I think if people really cared about boxing, they’d want me to win.” This statement underscores his belief in his impact on the sport, despite being a relative newcomer in the professional boxing arena.

As both fighters prepare for their respective bouts, the anticipation builds for what could be a pivotal moment in the careers of Joshua and Paul, as well as a defining matchup in the heavyweight division. The world will be watching closely as they step into the ring, not only to witness the outcome of Joshua’s fight with Paul but also to see if he can finally settle the score with Fury later this year.