Additional Coverage:
- Anthony Joshua admits it’s ‘a failure’ if he doesn’t knockout Jake Paul in first round: ‘It’s a serious time’ (cbssports.com)
Anthony Joshua Sets High Bar for Jake Paul Bout: Anything Less Than Domination is “Failure”
As the highly anticipated clash between boxing titan Anthony Joshua and YouTube sensation-turned-boxer Jake Paul draws near, Joshua isn’t just aiming for a win – he’s demanding a complete and utter dismantling of his opponent. For the two-time unified heavyweight champion, a mere victory over the significant underdog Paul simply won’t suffice; anything short of a one-sided drubbing would be a profound reflection of failure.
While many analysts are left pondering what a successful outcome might look like for Paul – with few envisioning a win against a boxer of Joshua’s caliber – some suggest that simply going the distance or surviving a round could be deemed a moral victory for Paul. However, Joshua firmly asserts that the inverse applies to him, stating that anything less than a swift decimation would be considered a personal failure.
“Let’s taper what failure is. The first level of failure is the loss.
There’s nothing I can do to reverse that. That’s the worst outcome,” Joshua shared with CBS Sports.
“The next level of failure is a competitive eight-round fight — that’s a big failure on my part. There are so many different levels of failure within this.
It’s a serious time for me. There’s a lot at stake, and I don’t want to lose myself.”
Despite his far greater experience and a significant advantage in opposition faced throughout his career, Joshua is adamant that he is taking Paul seriously. His recent dominant knockout victory over former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, who took Tyson Fury to a split decision in his professional boxing debut, serves as a testament to Joshua’s commitment to preparation.
“That goes to show whether Tyson took him seriously or not, you must respect yourself. I do this because I respect myself.
I don’t train this way for Jake. I do it because I know what I expect of myself,” Joshua explained.
“That’s why when people say, ‘If it goes past one round, it’s a failure [for Joshua],’ I have those same expectations. I get it.
I’m not arguing, saying, ‘It’s a fight! Anything can happen!
It can go the full eight rounds. How is that a failure?’
Trust me, I hear you loud and clear because I have those same expectations of myself.”
The upcoming bout promises to be a high-stakes affair, with Joshua placing immense pressure on himself to deliver a performance that not only secures a victory but also reaffirms his status as an elite heavyweight.