With just two weeks until the clash between Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua, Tony Bellew has cast doubt on the clash which is expected to be one of the most watched of the year.
The Paul-Joshua announcement surprised the boxing world, but the biggest shock was the rules – as Paul agreed to almost standard terms for a professional fight.
Paul and Joshua will fight eight three-minute rounds wearing 10-ounce gloves, which is usual for a heavyweight contest, with the only real stipulation being that “AJ” cannot weigh more than 245 pounds at Thursday’s weigh-in.
Speaking to IFL TV, former cruiserweight world champion Bellew predicted the event would not go ahead, doubting whether ‘The Problem Child’ would truly have the courage to take on the two-time heavyweight ruler.
“I still don’t believe it. How can you believe this is going to happen?”
“It’s insane. It’s crazy, but no one can hit Joshua because it’s just crazy. I can’t understand it. I just don’t believe he [Paul] is going to be in the ring, facing Joshua, with 10 ounce gloves.
“You heard me the first time. I don’t believe he’s going to step into that ring with 10 ounce gloves on, I don’t believe that. 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 fight take place, Bellew anticipates a one-sided encounter, believing Paul would be in for shock if he underestimated the punching power of Joshua, 36.
“When he [AJ] touches him for the first time, with 10 ounce gloves, he will have the fright of his life.
Paul-Joshua will take place on Friday, December 19 and will be available live on Netflix.
