FORMER world champion Johnny Nelson fears complacency could lead to Anthony Joshua’s ultimate demise against Jake Paul.
The two-time unified heavyweight world champion faces prankster-turned-prizefighter Paul on December 19 in Miami.
Paul is a 9/1 outsider but victory would surpass James ‘Buster’ Douglas’ 42/1 shock of Mike Tyson in 1990 – considered boxing’s biggest ever upset.
But Nelson warned AJ against resting on his laurels to avoid a repeat of his 2019 knockout loss to Andy Ruiz Jr – who was a 14/1 underdog in New York.
Nelson told SunSport: “The one thing I do worry about is Joshua being so relaxed, so laid back, so matter of fact that he makes the same mistake he did against Andy Ruiz.
“That’s the only worry and then it’s it’s going to be very hard for him to put his game face on his game because he’s looking at Jake Paul thinking, ‘For real? I’ve got to get my game on for you?
“It’s very, very hard. And so if you get in there with someone that you know is going to be dangerous, going to slaughter, you’re gonna be on point.
“You’re gonna be as sharp as you can, you’re gonna just snap it out. I fear that he’ll just go in there and just be too lackadaisical.
“Anybody that tells you you think Jake Paul’s gonna win are lying. They don’t believe he’s gonna win.
“They’re big gamblers hoping that the odds will fall their way. Nobody believes that can be the case.
Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua – all the info
A true Christmas miracle!
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.
INFO
LATEST NEWS
VIDEO
*If you click on a link in this boxout, we will earn affiliate revenue.
BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS
Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua: All the information you need.
“But it’s a good good bit of exposure.”
Joshua, 36, was able to recover from his seventh-round stoppage loss to Ruiz, also 36, to win their rematch six months later.
But defeat to Paul – who only made his professional debut in 2020 when AJ was still world champ – and there will be no way back for Joshua.
Paul, 28, has 12 modest wins in his 13 bouts, losing only to Tommy Fury, 26, via scrappy split-decision in 2023.
He beat ex-middleweight champ Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, 39, in his last fight in June to earn himself a top 15 cruiserweight ranking in the WBA.
But Paul jumps up massively in size and skill against Joshua, whose only restriction in the Miami clash is being limited to weighing in at 245lb.
The fight is to be professionally-sanctioned at heavyweight over eight scheduled rounds with 10oz gloves to be worn.
And Nelson – who made 13 WBO cruiserweight world title defences – urged AJ to punish the admirably brave but dangerously deluded American.
He said at the 2025 IBA World Championships in Dubai: “I’ll tell you what AJ should do, AJ should torture him.
“People are saying he should knock him out straight away, he shouldn’t. He should torture him.
“Hurt him, step off, hurt him, step off, hurt him, just till you get to the end and then knock him out. He’s gotta learn the harsh lessons of our sport.
“If he hits him to the head, hurts him, wobbles him, whacks him to the body, hurts him, has him wounded, steps off so the referee doesn’t go to serve him, make him give up.
“AJ’s got to beat him so he gives up. That way, he’s pleased a lot of the people that are watching this to see Jake Paul get knocked out.
“And for Jake Paul, he’s learned a big lesson about himself, who he is and what he what he’s capable of doing.”
