NO TIME FOR LASERS

Miami bout real deal after tag dust-up

- MARTIN DOMIN

AS JAKE Paul tells the story, he has already beaten Anthony Joshua.

In 2022, the Brit was licking his wounds after his second successive defeat by Oleksandr Usyk, while Paul had yet to fight a legitimate boxer.

There was no ring, no gloves, and nobody was rendered unconscious.

Instead, the two boxers from very different ends of the spectrum first met in Dubai over a game of hide and seek for adults (inset).

“I smoked him in laser tag” recalled Paul. “You have no idea how many times I got him out. I was camping at the top, he didn't even know I was getting him out. I actually felt bad for him.”

Joshua disputes Paul’s version of events, but there is little doubt about the outcome of their rematch here on Friday night.

The Olympic champion should outgun the You-Tuber in a bout many insist should not have been sanctioned, but which was signed and sealed in a matter of days.