Jake Paul has issued a bold challenge to former heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua, claiming he would "beat Anthony Joshua's ass" in the ring.
The internet sensation made the audacious call-out on Thursday in a clip posted on social media platform X.
Paul, who has never faced a boxer of Joshua's calibre, identified three specific weaknesses he believes would allow him to defeat the British boxing star.
The challenge comes as Joshua is recovering from a knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois last September.
Jake Paul called out Anthony Joshua on social media
YouTube
In the social media clip, Paul didn't hold back on his assessment of Joshua's abilities.
"I know I will f*****g beat Anthony Joshua's ass," Paul declared. "He doesn't have a chin, has no skill, and he's stiff."
The 27-year-old American appeared confident despite the significant experience gap between the two fighters.
"I love you Anthony, we're friends, all this s***. But I want to fight you," Paul added, suggesting a friendly rivalry despite his harsh critique.
The contrast in experience between the two fighters is stark when examining their professional records.
Joshua, 35, has amassed 32 professional fights with 28 wins (25 by knockout) and 4 losses.
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Paul, meanwhile, has competed in just 12 professional bouts, winning 11 (7 by knockout) with a single defeat.
Despite this disparity, Paul appears undeterred in his pursuit of what would be the biggest fight of his career.
The American has previously defeated notable names including Anderson Silva, Nate Diaz, and most recently Mike Tyson.
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Anthony Joshua lost his last fight to Daniel Dubois
PA
Joshua's knockout loss to Dubois has left his career at a crossroads, potentially making him an attractive target for Paul.
The American has struggled to secure his next opponent after his points victory over Mike Tyson in 2020.
A near-confirmed bout with Canelo Alvarez collapsed at the last minute.
Similarly, discussions for an exhibition match with unbeaten Gervonta Davis fell apart following Davis's unexpected draw with Lamont Roach.
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Jake Paul beat Mike Tyson in controversial circumstancesReutersThis has led Paul to set his sights on Joshua, despite the significant step up in competition.
Joshua is one of boxing's most decorated figures, having won Olympic gold at the 2012 Games and claimed significant professional victories over Dillian Whyte, Wladimir Klitschko, Joseph Parker, and Andy Ruiz Jr.
Paul, by contrast, has built his boxing career through a non-traditional route, leveraging his internet popularity to generate interest in his fights.
Industry insiders suggest Joshua might consider the bout due to its potential financial rewards, particularly as he previously engaged with Francis Ngannou in a crossover match earlier this year.
