Usyk Warns Paul Over The Joshua Fight – ‘I Will Pray For Jake’

Unified Heavyweight Champion Oleksandr Usyk has delivered a brutal assessment of the Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua December 19 fight, saying AJ ‘could kill Paul.’ 

Usyk, who defeated Joshua twice in 2021 and 2022, is now sharing a training camp with Joshua. Joshua is the heavy favorite, given the disparity in skill levels. Joshua is a former two-time unified heavyweight world champion and an Olympic Gold Medalist, while Paul has been boxing for just five years, with his opposition largely consisting of retired MMA fighters. Usyk previously called Joshua a ‘Rolls Royce’ with Paul being a ‘Fiat’, showing the difference in class. Now, Usyk has offered another bleak assessment for Paul.

“If Anthony Joshua wants, he can kill this guy. Joshua is an Olympic champion. Jake Paul, he’s a sportsman, YouTube…showman. Rolls Royce…Fiat. Listen, it’s true. It’s business, more money. Only this. I will pray for Jake Paul because I want a fight with him in the octagon. As a fan, I want a Joshua facing [Tyson] Fury. Listen, I will try to help,” Usyk said

The Other Argument

The counter-argument to Usyk’s “kill” assessment lies in the limited nature of the professional bout. The fight is scheduled for only eight three-minute rounds and will be fought with 10-ounce gloves. Crucially, Joshua has a set weight limit of 245 pounds for the weigh-in, indicating that the fight is structured to mitigate the physical advantages of a full-fledged heavyweight. The shorter distance reduces Joshua’s ability to systematically break down Paul over time. It gives Paul a clearer pathway to simply survive the early rounds.

oshua has been visibly troubled by smaller, faster fighters who utilize movement and angles, such as Usyk himself. While Paul’s skill is nowhere near Usyk’s, he is highly conditioned and has demonstrated legitimate, one-punch knockout power at his own weight.

Paul’s lack of a predictable, polished heavyweight style could make him an awkward target for the first few rounds. If Joshua is too patient—which he has been in past fights—or becomes frustrated by Paul’s movement, he could run into a well-timed, heavy shot. A single, powerful punch landing cleanly on the chin can change any heavyweight fight, regardless of the experience gap.