British heavyweight boxing star Anthony Joshua has moved to clarify controversial comments he made in the build-up to his highly anticipated professional fight against social media sensation Jake Paul.
Controversial Comments Clarified
At a final press conference held in Miami on Friday 19 December 2025, the two-time world heavyweight champion addressed his previous statement, where he told Paul, "If I can kill you, I will kill you." Joshua explained the remark was part of his professional mindset in the ring, asserting that fighters essentially operate with a "licence to kill."
He elaborated that such intense language reflects the serious, high-stakes nature of professional boxing, where the objective is to dominate and defeat an opponent within the rules of the sport. The upcoming bout is scheduled for eight three-minute rounds in the heavyweight division.
Fury's Criticism and Paul's Confidence
The initial comments did not go unnoticed by Joshua's domestic rival, Tyson Fury. The reigning WBC champion was swift to criticise Joshua, branding him a "classless loser" for his choice of words in the pre-fight hype.
Despite the significant disparity in size and professional experience between the former Olympic champion and the YouTuber-turned-boxer, Jake Paul has expressed unwavering confidence. Paul believes he can engineer one of the most notable sporting upsets in recent memory when they meet in the ring.
The Stakes of the Showdown
This fight represents a major crossover event, pitting one of Britain's most decorated active heavyweights against a figure who has polarised the boxing world. While concerns persist about the competitive balance, the global spotlight is firmly fixed on the contest.
Joshua's clarification seeks to frame his earlier rhetoric as a manifestation of the sport's inherent violence and the singular focus required at elite level, rather than a literal threat. The boxing world now awaits to see how this verbal sparring translates into action when the bell rings.
