Anthony Joshua delivered a chilling final message to Jake Paul just hours before their heavily-criticised professional boxing match, drawing his finger across his throat in a threatening gesture during a tense face-off.
Weigh-In Reveals Significant Size Disparity
The official weigh-in for tonight's bout in Miami highlighted the stark physical difference between the two fighters. Former two-time world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua tipped the scales at 17 stone 5lbs (243lbs). In contrast, YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, who has predominantly fought at cruiserweight, came in at 15 stone 6lbs (216lbs). This gives Joshua a substantial weight advantage of almost 27 pounds.
The contest, scheduled for eight three-minute rounds, has sparked significant backlash within the boxing community. Critics point to Paul's 13-fight record, built largely against former UFC athletes or ageing boxing legends, questioning the legitimacy of the match-up against an elite-level operator like Joshua.
"A Licence to Kill": Joshua's Ominous Pre-Fight Comments
Joshua's menacing gesture followed a series of stark warnings he issued earlier in the week. When asked to explain previous comments where he suggested he could "kill" Paul in the ring, the British heavyweight was unrepentant.
"It's my job, we fight. We have a licence to kill," Joshua stated. "I'm sure many people don't understand it but this is what my job is. I just enjoy what I do. Whatever happens, happens - as long as my hand is raised, that's what's important, respectfully."
He elaborated on the dangerous mindset required for his profession, adding, "The way my mind works. When you're in the ring, it's a dangerous thing. Anything can happen. You hope your opponent leaves the ring safely, but if they don't, you still have to go to bed knowing you just did your job. It wasn't personal."
Mutual Respect or Smelling Fear? The Final Confrontation
Despite the threatening gesture after the weigh-in, where the pair raised their fists and Joshua was heard saying "Don't touch me," the Olympic champion insisted there was "mutual respect" between them.
Jake Paul, however, presented a different perspective. The social media star claimed he told Joshua he could smell fear. "I see something in his eyes, I truly do," Paul said. "The pressure is on him. I'm fighting free, I've already won. This is a lose-lose situation for him."
Joshua remained focused on his superior pedigree, asserting, "I'm going to outclass this kid, I'm just going to outclass him. I'm a serious fighter, that's the difference, I'm a serious, serious fighter." He also called for fans to pray for both men, noting his opponent would "need it."
The high-profile fight will be streamed live on Netflix on the evening of Friday, 19th December 2025, making it one of the most accessible major boxing events in recent memory.
