CONTRACT SHOCK: WHY ANTHONY JOSHUA MUST MAKE 245LBS FOR JAKE PAUL
Anthony Joshua is taking the Jake Paul fight seriously, working with Oleksandr Usyk's team to make the contractual 245lb weight limit for the Miami showdown.
Anthony Joshua is on schedule to make weight for his fight with Jake Paul and is taking the test very seriously.
Eddie Hearn, the promoter, gave this update after speaking with the British heavyweight before his strange yet huge fight with Paul on December 19 in Miami.
For the first time in his career, AJ must meet a specific weight limit, as a clause in the contract says he cannot weigh more than 245lbs on the day of the weigh-in.
He has teamed up with Oleksandr Usyk's team to stay motivated and in shape before the fight, where he is heavily favoured to win.
Hearn told talkSPORT Breakfast that Joshua is doing everything he can to prepare.
He said, He's good; he's really focused, as if he were fighting a top heavyweight.
He always takes everything seriously, and he is doing so for this. He's in great shape.
The difference in this fight is that he has to make a specific weight, which is much lighter than he would be for other fights.
But he's on track and in Miami with not much time left until the fight. I honestly can't believe what's about to happen.
He's ready to go and do a job on him, and I just can't believe we've signed the contract to fight him.
Hearn's thoughts on Paul vs. Joshua as a spectacle
The fight has received widespread criticism, mostly from boxing fans who can't believe it's happening.
But it will be a real fight added to AJ's record, as it has been approved by the Florida Athletic Commission.
Many have suggested that Paul's previous fights, including his heavyweight appearance against Mike Tyson, were 'scripted.'
Paul has denied these claims, and Hearn agrees, saying that Joshua's camp insists on a convincing victory.
He added, It's not going to be an easy night for Jake.
People keep asking me if there is a script. Of course, there isn't.
But yes, there is a script: we are going to go out in the first round and smash him to bits.
Joshua's training for the Jake Paul fight.
Joshua has changed his training environment, leaving the UK and his recent trainer, Ben Davison, who coached him for his last three fights.
After recovering from elbow surgery, the Briton went to Spain to link up with former opponent Usyk's team.
Although he isn't sparring with the Ukrainian, Joshua is living like the most recent undisputed heavyweight champion.
He is sure that this will give him the best chance to beat Paul and compete for a world title in 2026.
CRUISERWEIGHT CHALLENGE: RYAN ROZICKI TELLS JAI OPETAIA TO "STAY GROUNDED" AFTER STRUGGLE
Ring No. 4 contender Ryan Rozicki calls out Jai Opetaia, warning the champion that overconfidence and fighting "weaker opponents" will lead to his downfall.
Ryan Rozicki's Message to Jai Opetaia: Stay Grounded
Jai Opetaia, the Ring and IBF champion, recently secured his fourth straight knockout victory by defeating Huseyin Cinkara in eight rounds. This win wraps up a busy year for Opetaia, during which he defended his title three times.
Ryan Rozicki, a Canadian contender, acknowledges Opetaia's achievements and his position as the top cruiserweight.
However, Rozicki, who is ranked No. 4 by The Ring, thinks he would be a much tougher opponent than those Opetaia has faced recently.
"From what I've seen, he's probably the best in the division," Rozicki told The Ring. If that fight comes my way, I'll definitely take it. He hasn't fought anyone like me. I've watched some of his fights, and he's been up against weaker opponents.
After watching Opetaia struggle early in his fight against Cinkara, Rozicki has a word of caution for him.
In my opinion, his opponent didn't look world-class, he said. He got hit and wobbled in the second round. If that were my right hand, he wouldn't have gotten up.
Opetaia's aggressive start allowed Cinkara to land a couple of right hands in the second round, which shook the champion. Opetaia expressed frustration after the fight, admitting his performance wasn't great. This may motivate him for 2026, especially given his disappointment with failed unification attempts.
It seems that overconfidence and a lack of real tests might be affecting Opetaia's recent performances, as seen when he was caught by David Nyika and even more so by Cinkara before pulling through.
Rozicki warns Opetaia to stay grounded.
"Don't believe everything you hear about yourself," he said. Be careful about what your team tells you, because you might think you're invincible, but you're probably not.
Rozicki's promoter, Daniel Otter of The Lions Promotions, is also interested in setting up a fight between Rozicki and Opetaia.
"Jai keeps saying people are avoiding him," Otter said. I think people have been avoiding Ryan, too, so if Jai is serious, Ryan is ready to fight him.
ANDREW TATE'S RESPECT: HE CALLS JAKE PAUL VS. ANTHONY JOSHUA INTERESTING AMIDST WEIGHT CLAUSE CHAOS
Andrew Tate respects Jake Paul for fighting Anthony Joshua but is criticised by opponent Chase DeMoor for a controversial 'under 200lb' weight clause in their Misfits bout.
Andrew Tate thinks Jake Paul's fight with Anthony Joshua will be interesting.
Paul and Joshua are set to fight in Miami next Friday in a heavyweight match that's getting a lot of criticism. The next night, Tate will box Misfits heavyweight champ Chase DeMoor in Dubai. This marks Tate's return to the ring after doing kickboxing.
Tate and Paul have had issues in the past, but Tate gave Paul props. "I think that night will be interesting," he told iFL TV. I respect anyone who steps into the ring. People risk their lives to entertain others. I respect Jake and AJ, and I'm glad they're getting in there. I hope they both stay safe.
One thing both fights have in common is a weight limit, even though they're both heavyweight bouts. Joshua can't weigh over 245 lb for his fight with Paul. DeMoor said Tate wanted him to weigh UNDER 200 lb, which would make it a cruiserweight fight.
If he was sure he would beat me, why is there a weight clause in a heavyweight fight? He asked. Why are we fighting under 200 pounds? Why the rehydration clause? Why is it his arena, his judges, and his referee? Why did he try to say no to my gloves? "I have to fight in house clothes," said DeMoor.
They gave me this fight in July. I agreed to whatever he wanted, just to get him in the ring. He wants the weight cut; fine. He wants the rounds; fine. He wants the gloves, the rings, and the judges. Fine, fine, fine. I didn't negotiate at all.
I'm always the underdog in every fight. People think I'll lose, but I go out there and knock them out in the first few rounds.
While Tate respects Paul and Joshua, he feels different about his opponent. "I could pick a different opponent and make more money, and people would still watch," he said. Everyone's focused on me. This fight is all about me. I've been offered more money to fight others. This is the Andrew Tate show. Face to the floor, it does not matter if he is in the ring or not... he needs to know this is my show.