Paul backs his 'delusional optimism'

Youtuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul is backing “delusional optimism” to carry him to an upset over British former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua when the two men clash in a made-for-streaming event in Miami next month.

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Paul, 28, who defeated a 58-year-old Mike Tyson in a heavily criticised fight screened on Netflix in 2024, will take on a vastly younger opponent when he faces the 36-year-old Joshua in an eight-round heavyweight bout on 19 December in Florida.

The fight, which will reportedly see both men divide a massive $184 million purse, has once again raised safety concerns across boxing, with the 6ft 1in Paul going up against the hard-hitting 6ft 6in Joshua, the 2012 Olympic champion and two-time unified heavyweight champion.