The upcoming boxing match between Anthony Joshua and YouTube sensation Jake Paul has drawn a stark and brutal assessment from a man who knows Joshua better than most: unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk. Having shared the ring with Joshua for 24 gruelling rounds across two epic fights, Usyk has labelled the bout a severe mismatch, leaving little hope for the social media star turned boxer.
Usyk's Harsh Analogy: A Rolls-Royce Versus a Fiat
In a candid conversation with Boxing Scene, Oleksandr Usyk did not mince his words. Drawing from his direct experience, the Ukrainian champion set a frightening tone for the fight. "If Anthony Joshua wants, he can kill this guy," Usyk stated bluntly. He elaborated on the vast gulf in pedigree, noting, "Listen, Joshua is an Olympic champion. Jake Paul, sportsman, YouTuber, showman."
To drive his point home, Usyk used a simple yet powerful car analogy. "(Joshua is) a Rolls-Royce. (Paul is) a Fiat. It’s true," he declared. This comparison underscores the perceived difference in class, skill, and power between the two-time world champion and the influencer boxer.
Why This Fight Poses Unprecedented Danger for Paul
While Jake Paul has built a surprising boxing resume with wins over names like Nate Diaz, Anderson Silva, and Julio César Chávez Jr., and even went the distance with Mike Tyson in an exhibition, Usyk insists this challenge is categorically different. Joshua, who stepped in after Paul's original opponent Gervonta Davis faced legal issues, brings overwhelming physical advantages in height, reach, and sheer size into the ring.
Usyk, who last fought in July 2024, maintaining his perfect 24-0 record with a knockout of Daniel Dubois, emphasized the specific dangers Joshua presents. He pointed to the one-punch knockout power and elite Olympic-level technique that he personally contended with during their two fights. The financial stakes are monumental, with Joshua in line for an enormous purse, but the physical risk for Paul, according to Usyk, is even greater.
So concerned is Usyk that he encouraged fans to "pray" for Jake Paul as the fight date approaches. Interestingly, the champion revealed his own business interest in the influencer, stating, "I will pray for Jake Paul, because I want to fight Jake Paul in the Octagon!" hinting at a potential future MMA clash.
The Verdict: A Defining Night for Jake Paul's Career
Despite Paul's confidence and history of defying expectations, the boxing world is largely aligned with Usyk's grim prediction. The leap from fighting aged MMA legends and a faded boxing star to facing a prime, physically dominant heavyweight like Anthony Joshua is considered extraordinarily steep. Usyk's authoritative voice adds significant weight to the growing consensus that Paul is heading for the most difficult night of his professional life.
The world now watches to see if Jake Paul can engineer the ultimate sporting shock, or if Anthony Joshua will deliver the dominant performance that many, including his former rival Usyk, fully expect.
