With just two weeks to go until Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua go toe-to-toe, Tony Bellew has cast doubt on the clash which is set to be one of the most viewed of the year.
The announcement of Paul-Joshua surprised the boxing world, but the bigger shock was the ruleset – as Paul has agreed to near-standard terms for a professional bout.
Paul and Joshua will fight eight three-minute rounds in 10-ounce gloves, which are customary for a heavyweight contest, with the only real stipulation being that ‘AJ’ cannot weigh more than 245lbs at the Thursday weigh-in.
Speaking to IFL TV, former cruiserweight world champion Bellew predicted that the event will not go ahead, doubting whether ‘The Problem Child’ truly has the nerve to face the two-time heavyweight ruler.
“I still don’t believe it. How can you believe that it’s going to happen?
“It’s insane. It’s madness, but no one can knock Joshua because it’s just madness. I can’t get my head around it. I just don’t believe that he [Paul] is going to be in the ring, facing Joshua, with 10-ounce gloves on.
“You heard me the first time. I don’t believe that he is going to get in that ring with 10-ounce gloves on, I don’t. I’m just being honest, what do you want me to say, ‘yeah he is, he’s going to give him a hell of a fight’? No, he’s not.”
However, should the scrap take place, Bellew anticipates a one-sided encounter, believing that Paul is in for a shock if he has underestimated the punch power of 36-year-old Joshua.
“When he [AJ] touches him for the first time, with 10-ounce gloves on, he is going to get the fright of his life.”
Paul-Joshua takes place on Friday, December 19, and will be available to watch live on Netflix.