The stakes couldn’t be higher: Just before the jaw-dropping Jake vs. Joshua showdown was announced, Tyson Fury dropped a bombshell—claiming he’d put a staggering £1 million on the line. The stakes couldn’t be higher.
And incredibly, he suggested he would back Paul to record one of the biggest upsets in boxing history and knock out Joshua.
Now the pair have officially announced their stunning heavyweight clash which will take place on December 19 in Miami.
Paul had called out Joshua earlier in the year, and a bout looked a realistic possibility despite their vast gulf in experience.
And when reacting to the reports at the time in August, Fury made a stunning prediction.
He said: “Jake Paul chins AJ, yes. 100 per cent. If they fight, I’m putting a million pounds on Jake Paul.”
Fury later added: “I think that AJ is a spent force, and I think Jake Paul is on the rise.
“I like his new heavyweight look, he is a bit chubby, a bit bulky, he is getting there.”
READ MORE : Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn: Anthony Joshua Set to
The prediction of course came as a huge surprise, but is likely one to spite his long-term rival.
As in any fight, Paul has a small puncher’s chance, but he is a massive underdog against the former two-time world heavyweight champion.
The short answer appears to be no, he will likely need a miracle in the eyes of most boxing experts.
Paul has had just one fight at heavyweight, a bizarre exhibition with 59-year-old Mike Tyson who he beat in lacklustre fashion last November.
The YouTube sensation didn’t have an amateur career and has had 13 professional fights against limited opposition.
Joshua has duelled with the likes of undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk and has wins over Wladimir Klitschko and Dillian Whyte to his name.
Backlash is rife, but the pair will take to the ring in a bout which has received professional sanctioning.
Could Tyson Fury face Anthony Joshua afterwards?
Tyson Fury could have a keen eye on the clash as it could well serve as a tune-up for Joshua if he is to face the ‘Gypsy King’ next year.
It was revealed on talkSPORT by promoter Eddie Hearn that Joshua has agreed his side of the deal to face Fury.
He said: “We have next year two big events here in London. It will be a surprise.
“We will have Joshua in our country (Saudi) in February then there is the big fight, one of the greatest fights in the history of boxing it will be in London here in September.”
