Jake Paul shows off ugly injury from sparring Anthony Joshua’s protege days before heavyweight clash

Originally posted on Bloody Elbow | By Donagh Corby | Last updated Dec 7, 2025 1:39 AM ET

Jake Paul has not been taking it easy in sparring for his fight with Anthony Joshua, and has the bruises to show for it.

Back when he was due to face Gervonta Davis, Paul pulled out all the stops as he brought out the likes of Shakur Stevenson, Keyshawn Davis and Raymond Ford. And now that he is facing Joshua, he has done the same by bringing heavyweights Lawrence Okolie and Jared Anderson out to his camp.

Okolie, the gigantic former cruiserweight and bridgerweight champion, started his pro career as the protege of Joshua, signing for his management company and working with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing. But the 6’5 star, who last fought at 262lb, is now helping Paul to prepare to face his fellow Brit.

Jake Paul sporting ugly black eye after sparring with Lawrence Okolie

During the day, Jake Paul was visited in Puerto Rico by streamers Adin Ross and N3on, who enjoyed a tour of his plush mansion as well as his purpose-built training facility. However, it became evident quickly that the boxer was not fully himself as he sported a nasty shiner.

He explained to the streamers that he has been taking serious shots from heavyweight contenders such as Okolie and Anderson. And he attributed the black eye to former cruiserweight champion and top contender at heavyweight Okolie.

How long will Jake Paul last against this version of Anthony Joshua?

There is no tomorrow.

19th December, only @netflix ⏳ pic.twitter.com/2OFMtOeVVh
— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyjoshua) November 30, 2025

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When Ross asked how his eye had become hurt, he replied: “Sparring. I’ve been sparring with some of the best in the world. World champion heavyweights, I think Lawrence Okolie did that to me, I think he’s 6’6, 270lb.”

Asked how much he is weighing as he prepares to fight Joshua, Paul replied that he was around 215lb. Joshua has had his weight capped at 240lb, but Paul expects after rehydration that he will be around 250lb in the ring.

Fans concerned for Jake Paul as he shows off gruesome injury

The black eye immediately went viral, with fans on social media expressing their concern for the YouTuber in taking on the challenge of Anthony Joshua. It would be believed that AJ is a tougher test than Okolie, with many wondering just what damage the Londoner might do to him.

What chance do you give Jake Paul of beating Anthony Joshua?

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“If that happened in 18oz gloves imagine what AJ is gonna do to him,” one fan wrote, while another added “I pray to God Jake knows something we don’t, like that AJ has forgotten how to punch or something.”

This article first appeared on Bloody Elbow and was syndicated with permission.

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