Anthony Joshua has been issued a stark body language warning just days before his high-profile, big-money boxing match against YouTube sensation Jake Paul. The fight is scheduled for Friday, December 19, in Miami and will be streamed live on Netflix.
Expert Sees Echoes of Rocky III in AJ's Demeanour
According to Darren Stanton, a renowned body language expert known as the 'human lie detector', the former two-time unified heavyweight world champion is displaying signs of being 'over confident' and 'quite arrogant'. Stanton analysed the fighters during a recent face-off, where the 36-year-old Joshua notably towered over his natural cruiserweight opponent.
Stanton drew a direct comparison to the iconic 1982 film Rocky III, where the overconfident champion, played by Sylvester Stallone, suffered a shocking defeat. "It reminds me of Rocky III, when Sylvester Stallone thought it would be a walk in the park, and then he got battered," Stanton told OLBG.
Joshua's Mind on Future Fights as Paul Stays Humble
Joshua, who hasn't fought since a knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in September 2024, has openly framed this bout as a lucrative warm-up for a huge 2026. He is targeting a potential long-awaited showdown with rival Tyson Fury. This focus on the future, Stanton suggests, may be feeding a dangerous level of cockiness.
"Anthony Joshua is laid back. He's lying back almost, but he’s acting, with his posture, that this fight against Jake Paul will be nothing for him," Stanton observed. "Joshua is acting like he's already won with his overconfident posture and body language."
In contrast, he described Jake Paul as "super humble and not antagonistic" and "a quietly confident man", suggesting the underdog's demeanour could be more telling.
AJ Promises Knockout Despite Weight and Focus Concerns
Amid concerns about his conditioning, Joshua recently confirmed he made the contracted weight of under 245lb weeks before the fight. Despite the expert's warning about his mindset, Joshua himself has vowed not to take the challenge lightly, promising a decisive victory.
"There's zero chance this fight goes the distance," Joshua told ESPN. "It might go one round. It might go two rounds, but he won't see the final bell... the only way it's a win-win for me is if I get the knockout. I've learned about speaking things into existence so I'm telling everyone that I am getting that knockout."
The stage is now set for a dramatic clash in Miami, where Joshua's experience and power will collide with Paul's ambition and what experts perceive as a more grounded mental approach.
