WORLD champion David Benavidez warned Anthony Joshua to expect a “real fight” against Jake Paul.
The two-time heavyweight champion announced he will face YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul on December 19 in Miami.
An unthinkable victory for Paul would top James Buster Douglas’ infamous 1990 win over Mike Tyson – considered the greatest upset in boxing history.
So even Benavidez – the WBC light-heavyweight champ who is close friends with Paul – is ready to dig into his pockets for the hottest ticket in town.
The baffled American, 28, told SunSport: “To be honest with you, that’s probably the hardest fight that he could have chose.
“I mean, he must be really confident in himself. But Anthony Joshua is Anthony Joshua, he was a 3 time world champion, gold medalist, he’s not a man to play with so it’s just an exciting fight.
“I think I’m gonna buy a ticket. I’m gonna be there. But I think as the person that’s gonna win, I think Joshua might win.
“I think this is gonna be extremely hard fight for Jake Paul, but big ups to Jake Paul for taking this fight.
“This is the hardest fight that he could possibly take but I think he’s showing the world of boxing that he’s really, he really wants to challenge himself.”
Paul was left in search of an opponent after Gervonta Davis, 30, got hauled off their November 14 exhibition after a civil suit alleging domestic abuse was filed against him.
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So Joshua, 36, was approached by Paul, 28, himself via Instagram DMs before they agreed terms to the shock showdown.
Paul has only ever fought at heavyweight once – when he beat Mike Tyson – who controversially made a comeback ged 58 – last November.
He has largely campaigned in the 14st 4lb cruiserweight division of 200lb – FOUR STONE lighter than Joshua’s usual 18st fighting weight.
AJ will be limited to 245lb for the bout – which will be contested over eight three-minute rounds with 10oz gloves on.
Already the clash has come under scrutiny amid safety concerns and Benavidez is not sure Paul knows what he is getting himself into.
Benavidez, who fights Anthony Yarde on Saturday live on DAZN PPV, said: “I don’t think so. I think if he did, I don’t think he would take the fight.
“Like I said, Joshua is a dangerous, dangerous fighter. Just because he’s been knocked out doesn’t mean that he’s not a dangerous fighter.
“But like I said, it’s big respect to Jake Paul. This is probably gonna be one of the biggest fights in the sport of boxing in the past maybe ten years only because of how big both fighters are.
“Not just Jake Paul in the boxing world but he is going up against a great fighter like that. This is a real fight for both of them.
“So it’s gonna be a good night of boxing.”
