Anthony Joshua has delivered a stark warning to Jake Paul ahead of their Miami showdown, declaring with absolute certainty that the contest will end prematurely.
The former two-time unified heavyweight champion told ESPN: "There's zero chance this fight goes the distance. It might go one round. It might go two rounds, but he won't see the final bell."
The Watford-born fighter views anything short of a knockout as a personal failure.
"It's a win-win situation for Jake Paul because he's in there with me and he could come back stronger even in defeat," Joshua explained. "But the only way it's a win-win for me is if I get the knockout."
Anthony Joshua has told Jake Paul he will finish him within two rounds
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The 36-year-old added that he has "learned about speaking things into existence" and is publicly committing to rendering Paul unconscious.
The disparity between these two combatants could scarcely be more pronounced.
Joshua, at 36, brings vastly superior credentials to the Kaseya Center, having claimed Olympic gold at London 2012 before embarking on a professional career that has seen him contest 32 bouts.
The British heavyweight boasts 28 victories, with an impressive 25 coming by way of stoppage, though he has suffered defeats to Andy Ruiz, Oleksandr Usyk twice, and Daniel Dubois.
Paul, eight years Joshua's junior, only entered the professional ranks in January 2020.
The American's record stands at 12 wins against a solitary loss, that coming via split decision to Tommy Fury in February 2023.
Jake Paul famously faced Mike Tyson in November 2024, who he beat in controversial circumstances
| REUTERSCrucially, Joshua possesses advantages in both height and natural weight, whilst Paul has faced just five professional boxers throughout his brief career.
Joshua has moved swiftly to quash suggestions that contractual obligations might prevent him from unleashing his full arsenal against the social media personality.
"I don't know how to take it easy on an opponent. I just can't do that," he stated firmly.
The Londoner was unequivocal about his intentions for fight night.
"With this fight, I know I'm going in there to box and hurt. It has nothing to do with a contract; it's just my mood," Joshua declared.
Addressing the conspiracy theories directly, he added: "There is nothing to say what I can and can't do. My mood is to go in there, box, outclass, outshine and hurt my opponent no matter who it is."
Such rumours had gained traction amongst a minority of fight fans who questioned whether the bout's legitimacy might be compromised, while there were also reports the fight could be off.
Former heavyweight champion Bermane Stiverne shared that he had heard that the bout had been cancelled after Paul suffered a black eye in training, but there has been no official word from either camp.
Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul's fight was rumoured to be off but it appears it is on
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The heavyweight clash takes place on Friday, December 19th at Miami's Kaseya Center, with Netflix streaming the action live.
Both fighters will don 10oz gloves for eight three-minute rounds, with Joshua agreeing to a weight limit of 245 pounds.
British viewers should anticipate a late night, with ring walks expected around 4am UK time.
The bout carries full professional status, meaning the result will appear on both men's official records.
While Joshua predicts a swift conclusion within the opening rounds, Paul has offered a contrasting forecast, suggesting he will tire the Briton before stopping him in either the fifth or sixth round.
The American remains defiant despite being listed as a 9/1 underdog with bookmakers.