JAKE PAUL has been warned he is taking on one of boxing’s most powerful punchers in Anthony Joshua – but it is a GOOD thing for him.
The stupidly brave or incredibly deluded YouTuber-turned-boxer announced he will face two-time heavyweight champion AJ on December 19.
And the Miami mega-fight – to be aired on Netflix – goes to extreme lengths in answering Paul’s starkest criticisms.
Joshua is bigger and far more experienced than anyone Paul has dared to share the ring with – and at 36 younger than most of his 13 opponents too.
So former undisputed lightweight champ Devin Haney – a close friend of Paul’s in the boxing circuit – demands that the American is given credit.
Haney, 26, told SunSport: “You gotta take your hat off to him because they were saying, ‘Oh, he was fighting this person and that person.’
“Now he’s jumping up there to fight AJ who’s arguably one of the hardest punchers in the sport of boxing.
“He definitely is one of the hardest punchers and he’s a legitimate champion.
“He’s solidified through the amateur ranks and the pro ranks so you gotta just take your hat off to Jake.
“Whatever happens in the fight, you just gotta give him his props.”
Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua: All the information you need.
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Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua – all the info
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The world will stand still come December 19 as the face of British boxing Anthony Joshua is all set to go up against social media sensation Jake Paul.
AJ steps in on a month’s notice after Paul’s ‘David vs Goliath’ Gervonta Davis clash was axed due to Tank’s civil suit case.
And Joshua will be desperate not to suffer the same fate as legends Mike Tyson and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr who both lost to YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul.
Particularly as a handsome figure was negotiated to get this Judgement Day deal over the line due to AJ’s DAZN contract.
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Haney has even claimed in the past Paul, 28, could be a WORLD CHAMPION one day but only if given the correct and careful guidance.
And not even a devastating KO against Joshua would end his audacious climb to to reach the boxing mountain top.
Haney said: “It just shows that he wants to be great in the sport of boxing and that’s what it’s about, taking those risks those build a lot of character.
“Like I said, whatever happens it will build a lot of character with him, whether he wins or he loses, I’m just excited for this to happen.”
Haney knows a thing or two about taking risks himself.
He left the amateur code behind to turn professional at just 17 in Mexico and first won a world title at 21 – becoming undisputed two years later.
Now he jumps up to welterweight on Saturday – live on DAZN PPV – to challenge for Brian Norman’s WBO world title.
He said: “This is my 34th fight so it’s nothing new for me it’s just another fight. Brian Norman is a young, hungry lion, he’s a champion, I’m the challenger.
“I’ve just got the challenger mentality, going in there and taking what I want and that’s what I’ll do.
“I mean, it’s nothing but respect. It’s all business for me, I don’t bring my personal or my feelings into the ring.
“At the end of the day, he’s a champion and I want the belt and that’s all it is. It’s nothing more to it.”
