Anthony Joshua has made it clear that he is not looking to take it easy against Jake Paul, and that anything less than a knockout will not feel like a win.
The two-time unified heavyweight champion is a heavy favourite heading into their bout, which will be streamed live on Netflix later this month.
While there is little genuine belief that Paul stands much of a chance, theories about fight rigging are the only thing fuelling any serious predictions in his favour.
Joshua sees the fight as more than just another bout. He feels he is carrying the weight of boxing fans who want him to deliver a definitive result, especially against someone with Paul’s reputation. For the Briton, nothing short of a convincing stoppage will do.
Anthony Joshua tells Jake Paul: only total dominance counts as a win
Joshua told TMZ Sports exactly how he feels about his upcoming fight with Paul: only a knockout will truly count as a victory. Even if he were to win every round, anything short of a stoppage would not satisfy him.
When asked about the pressure to finish the fight early, AJ said: “I really understand where they’re coming from. I understand. I get it… I know the expectations and demands these fans have. And I respect it.
“If I didn’t respect it, I’d be honest with you and say, ‘No they’re talking rubbish,’ but I do. I do get it because I hold myself in that same regard, so I need to destroy him and that’s my intention, to seek and destroy!”
The 36-year-old understands that despite his insistence, Paul genuinely believes he can achieve what would be a monumental upset in boxing history. Consequently, Joshua is “not preparing for the person everyone thinks he is, but preparing for the person he thinks he is”.
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