Anthony Joshua refuses to back down from controversial 'kill' comments ahead of highly-anticipated Jake Paul fight

Two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has not backed down from his controversial comments saying he would "kill" Jake Paul "if he can", but insisted it was "not personal." Joshua, who has not fought since he was knocked out by Daniel Dubois in September 2024, was criticised for the comments but said that "anything can happen" in the ring ahead of Friday night's big fight.

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Anthony Joshua has not backed down from his controversial comments on "killing" Jake Paul in their highly anticipated fight.

The two-time heavyweight champion said "if I can kill you, I’ll kill" to the YouTuber-turned boxer on Tuesday.

The comments have received scathing criticism from the boxing world, with another former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury calling Joshua "a classless loser" in a fiery rant.

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Joshua, 36, has significant boxing pedigree compared to Paul, while the height difference of five inches and significant size difference add further to the bizarre nature of the fight.

At a press conference on Wednesday, Joshua was asked about his "kill" comments and whether he meant them.

He replied: "It's my job, we fight. We have a licence to kill.

Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul faceoff before their fight in Miami on Friday.

Image credit: Getty Images

"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.

"That's just the mentality we have to have as fighters. I don't know if other fighters think that way. Maybe they're a bit more tame.

"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."

Joshua’s last fight saw him knocked out by Daniel Dubois. That fight was in September 2024 and it has taken Joshua over a year to agree to another fight.

He will now have the eyes of the entire sporting world on him in a fight which you can follow via TNT Sports' live blog.

Losing to Paul would be a sizeable hit to Joshua’s boxing career and reputation.

But Joshua admitted he could not turn it down when he saw the paycheck, and said he shoulders the responsibility of the sport to "put an end to the Jake Paul show".

"The only thing in the contract that got my attention was the money," Joshua said.

The faceoff turned jovial at the end with both fighters laying hands on each other.

Image credit: Getty Images

"They want me to put an end to the Jake Paul show and I understand it and that's why I have to carry boxing on my back in this fight."

Paul, who made a comedic pose towards Joshua during their faceoff, is the very obvious underdog.

A win for the American would surely be the biggest shock in the history of boxing.

His record, while impressive, with 12 wins and a solitary split decision defeat to Tommy Fury in 2023, does not include bouts against any fighter in the same realm as Joshua.

This is a significant step-up but one that Paul insists he is ready for.

"This is a modern day gladiator sport," he said.

"I'm ready. I want his hardest punches. I want there to be no excuses when it's all said and done. Let's kill each other."

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