Anthony Joshua has sent a chilling threat to Jake Paul as he promises to pull no punches ahead of their bout.
The duo step into the ring on Friday, with the former two-time heavyweight world champion widely expected to obliterate Paul given the mismatch in skill and quality.
Paul, 28, has been warned that fighting Joshua could lead to serious damage.
Undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk is just one of the high-profile names to fire a warning shot by suggesting his life could be in danger.
Anthony Joshua sends ominous message to Jake Paul
Speaking at the open workout ahead of their bout in Miami, Joshua said: “I was looking at myself today. I’m a very respectful guy, brought up by a good family, but if I can kill you, I will kill you.
“That’s just how I am. This is just the job I do.”
Both fighters head into the eight-round bout with vastly different backgrounds.
Despite it being around eight years since AJ was at the top of his game, the heavyweight has enjoyed a hugely successful career in the ring and stands with a record of 28 wins and four defeats.
His real emergence in the sport occurred in 2011 at the World Championships, followed by a gold medal at the Olympics the following year.
For Paul, his rise to fame came through YouTube, and he only took up boxing in 2018 when he fought fellow creator KSI in a white-collar fight.
He later transitioned into taking on MMA fighters before his mega-money, farcical exhibition fight with a 58-year-old Mike Tyson.
Joshua added: “I’m carrying boxing on my back. I did it with the Ngannou fight, and I’m going to do it again.
“I understand the expectation. I don’t carry it because the expectation I have on myself is already enough, but I understand it, I acknowledge it, and I respect it.”
Anthony Joshua responds to claims that he’s going to take it easy on Jake Paul:
“I’m a very respectful guy, brought up by a good family, but if I can kill you, I will kill you.” 🥶
(via @MMAFighting) pic.twitter.com/Jys9Um23Ia
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) December 17, 2025
Jake Paul vows to shock the world
If Paul does pull off the unimaginable, it will be regarded as one of the biggest upsets not just in boxing but in sporting history.
A defeat for Joshua will tarnish his legacy, and his decision to accept the $140million showdown was questioned by George Groves after claiming his promoter, Eddie Hearn, sold him out.
Paul added: “One of us is going to sleep – that’s what we’re going to do here. That’s what this heavyweight fight is all about.
“I started my boxing journey here in Miami. We’re bringing it back, and I’m going to shock the world and pull off the biggest upset in sports history.”
