Derek Chisora has ignited a fierce debate across the boxing world after unleashing a blistering attack on Anthony Joshua for entering talks over a controversial fight with Jake Paul.
The heavyweight stalwart warned that Joshua would face lasting humiliation if he failed to dispatch the YouTuber-turned-boxer with ruthless efficiency, insisting that the former world champion is flirting with a scenario that would “be f***ing nightmares forever.”
Reacting to reports that Joshua is in final negotiations to face Paul in Miami in mid-December, Chisora told iFL TV: “AJ took a year out, easy fight for him and I think it should be laid to rest because I don’t think AJ’s going to go in there and try and pat him. AJ is going to smoke him.”
He urged the two-time champion to approach the bout with absolute menace.
“I will say this about AJ: don’t let that guy knock you out, because that will be f***ing nightmares forever, but AJ has to kill him in three rounds,” he added.
Chisora suggested anything slower than a blistering finish would raise deep questions about Joshua’s decline
“[If it goes beyond three rounds] it doesn’t mean I back Jake Paul [to win], it means what is AJ doing?” he said.
Anthony Joshua was floored multiple times during his fight with Daniel Dubois last September
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REUTERSHe added that Joshua should end the contest in similar fashion to his emphatic dismantling of Francis Ngannou in March. “How many rounds was Ngannou? Two? Exactly, so he has to smoke him in two rounds.”
The fury from within the sport follows Wednesday night’s revelation that Joshu has been locked in discussions for several days over what would be his first fight since his devastating knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois last September.
Two dates, December 12 and 19, are reportedly under consideration.
Jake Paul is a controversial figure within the boxing world
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GETTYThe news has sparked disbelief not only over Paul’s limited boxing pedigree but also over the impact such a bout could have on Joshua’s legacy.
The talks surfaced shortly after promoter Eddie Hearn suggested Joshua needed what he called a “run-out” fight. Hearn said on Tuesday:
“We will make a decision this week on Anthony’s next fight. If he fights this year, you probably won’t even hear about it, unless it’s Jake Paul. We would literally rock up on fight week. We’ve already got opponents that we’ve been talking to about a run-out fight.”
Fans reacted with alarm to the idea that Joshua might return against a social-media star.
One wrote: “Anthony Joshua will wreck his legacy with demeaning Jake Paul fight.”
Another long-time admirer feared lasting reputational damage, stating: “Always been a big Joshua fan. Hugely overcriticised throughout his career. But even if this lasts 10 seconds, it tarnishes his legacy.”
Five facts about boxing that fans might not know | GBNEWS/PA
Weight is expected to become a major talking point.
Paul weighed 199.4lbs for his win over Julio Chavez Jr and reached 220lbs for his fight with Mike Tyson, while Joshua came in at 252lbs 5oz against Dubois.
The disparity has prompted speculation that any meeting might be classed as an exhibition, similar to Paul’s abandoned bout with Gervonta Davis.
Paul, who beat Tyson last November and Chavez Jr in the summer, has been seeking a more credible opponent after the Davis fight collapsed following domestic-violence allegations.
He condemned the situation last week, saying: “If you support this man you support the most vile sin a man can commit.”
He apologised to his team and the undercard fighters for the collapse, calling Davis a “fool” who had “lost his unintelligent mind again.”
