David Benavidez has shared an honest assessment on the upcoming heavyweight clash between Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul.
It was revealed earlier this week that two-time unified heavyweight champion AJ is set to face ‘The Problem Child’ on Friday December 19 at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida.
Paul was originally scheduled to face WBA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis in an exhibition on November 14 but the bout was scrapped after ‘Tank’ found himself at the centre of a domestic violence allegation.
As for Joshua, the 36-year-old from Watford hasn’t competed since he suffered the fourth defeat of his professional career to former IBF world heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois in September 2024.
Another upcoming fight see Benavidez defend his WBC light heavyweight title against Anthony Yarde on Saturday, and ahead of that battle, ‘The Mexican Monster’ has made his prediction for Joshua vs. Paul.
Speaking to Fight Hub TV, Benavidez admitted that whilst he ‘respects’ Paul for stepping into the ring with someone of Joshua’s calibre, he expects AJ to win the fight via knockout.
“I give 100% respect to Jake Paul, but that’s a dangerous fight for him. He probably gets knocked out and I’m not trying to be a hater, I’m not saying nothing bad [but] Anthony Joshua is Anthony Joshua.
“He’s multiple time champion, Olympic Gold Medallist. The last time somebody stepped in the ring with him that didn’t have much boxing experience was [Francis] Ngannou and you seen what happened to him.”
Joshua will be looking to set up a long-awaited showdown with rival Tyson Fury in 2026, but first he will be expected to come through his controversial match-up with ‘The Problem Child’ without a hitch.
