New York: Anthony Joshua has brushed aside Tyson Fury’s stunning £1 million offer and bold prediction favoring Jake Paul, as the former heavyweight champion focuses on his long-awaited return to the ring. Fury recently claimed that Paul would “chin AJ,” insisting he was ready to stake a huge wager on the YouTuber-turned-boxer.
Joshua is scheduled to face Paul on December 19 in Miami, a matchup that materialized after Paul’s November 14 fight with Gervonta Davis was cancelled following allegations of domestic abuse against the WBA lightweight champion.
The bout marks Joshua’s comeback after a lengthy layoff. The two-time unified heavyweight champion has not fought since his defeat to Daniel Dubois at Wembley in September 2024, where he suffered injuries that sidelined him for months.
Fury’s Bold Prediction Goes Viral
As soon as early reports of the fight emerged, Tyson Fury wasted no time offering his controversial take, claiming Jake Paul would knock Joshua out.
Fury stated:
“Jake Paul chins AJ, 100 percent. If they fight, I’m putting a million pounds on Jake Paul.”
Fury went on to say Joshua is “a spent force,” while praising Paul’s physical transformation into a bulkier heavyweight frame.
With the bout now officially confirmed, Fury’s comments have resurfaced across social media, drawing significant fan reaction.
Joshua Responds: “I’m Betting on Myself”
During a fiery press conference in Miami last week, Joshua was asked to respond to Fury’s remarks and the £1m bet.
Joshua calmly dismissed the noise:
“No, I am not worried about what Tyson Fury has got to say. It ain’t even about the money. I am betting on myself.”
He added:
“Respectfully, I ain’t worried about what Tyson Fury has got to say… I am not here for betting and nonsense. I am here to fight. Once I get the job done, I will collect my cheque and focus on the next one.”
Joshua made it clear that his focus is solely on performance, not predictions or wagers:
“My bet is me doing a number on him. That’s all there is to it.”
As anticipation builds for this unexpected showdown, Joshua aims to silence critics, while Paul seeks the biggest win of his career.
