Former heavyweight ruler Lennox Lewis has had his say on what many think is a mismatch between Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul.
All of the advantages in this fight lay with Joshua, the former two-time unified ruler of the banner division. He is bigger, more experienced, has shared the ring with some generational goats, and knows what it takes to get put down and get back up and win.
Paul has had just 13 fights, never faced any real adversity and has never been hit by anyone near as hard as Joshua.
Speaking to Seconds Out, Lewis was asked what would happen if Joshua lost.
“I don’t think that will happen, because he is looking for a big fight with Tyson Fury and I don’t think he would take that chance right now. This chance is not a big chance for him.
“I think he knows this guy is not really credible, not really a heavyweight, not credible to be in the ring with him, even to box with him. So I think he’s looking at it like OK, I’m going to go out there, use it like a sparring match. Soften him up in the first round, get rid of him in the second or third round.”
Then he was asked when Paul might realise quite what he’s dealing with.
“When he gets hit by a real heavyweight. This man knocked out Francis Ngannou with a one-two, and I don’t think Jake Paul has a better chin than Francis Ngannou.”
Following the weigh-in, the fight takes place across eight rounds, with 10oz gloves, but will be in a larger ring than usual this weekend. For many, anything but an early win for Joshua leaves his reputation in ruins.
