Nigerian-born British boxer, Anthony Joshua has shown he is already on the mark for his high-profile fight with Jake Paul, stepping on the scales at 110.6kg (17st 7lb) ahead of their meeting in Miami on December 19.
Joshua, a two-time heavyweight world champion, cannot weigh more than 111kg for the six-round contest. It is an unusual restriction for someone used to weighing what he likes in a division where fighters rarely cut weight.
In a short social media clip, Joshua stood on the scales and nodded at the reading before telling viewers: “They must have forgotten. I’m used to dealing with big weights and scales.”
The fight has attracted attention not only for its circus feel but also for the size and experience gulf between the pair. Paul, 28, came into the sport from YouTube and has fought mostly at cruiserweight. His heaviest weight came against Mike Tyson last year at 16th 3lb.
On the other hand, Anthony Joshua has spent his career among the best in the division with Olympic gold and two world titles on his record.
Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, said Paul’s camp originally asked for an even lower limit before both sides settled on the 111kg mark. The fighters will wear regulation 10-oz gloves.
Naija News reports that the match-up has drawn concern from Oleksandr Usyk, the former undisputed champion who beat Joshua over two hard fights.
“If Anthony Joshua wants, he will kill this guy,” Usyk told Boxing Scene. “Listen, a lot of questions, blah, blah, blah… Anthony Joshua is an Olympic champion first. Jake Paul, yeah, a sportsman, a YouTuber, a showman. Joshua is Rolls-Royce; Jake is a Fiat.”
He added, “Yes, I will pray for Jake Paul. Because I want to fight with Jake Paul in the octagon.”