Jake Paul and heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua faced off on November 21, and the YouTuber promised to shock fans when they meet on December 19.
The bout will stream on Netflix. It's a new challenge for Paul, who has fought the likes of geriatric Mike Tyson with similar hype. However, Joshua is a former two-time heavyweight champion of the world, and he towered over Paul when they faced off on November 21. In fact, Paul came up to his chin.
Fans weighed in on social media, noting the size difference.
"That’s a scary reality check," wrote one fan. "Reality is setting in. You can see it in his body language," wrote another person on X, alongside laughing emojis.
What is the size difference between Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua?
Paul stands 6-foot-1, and "typically fights as a cruiserweight, which has a limit of 200 pounds," according to MMA Junkie, which noted that he's weighed in between 199 and 227 pounds in his last three fights.
Joshua stands 6-foot-6 and weighed between 251-252 in his last three fights, MMA Junkie reported, noting that Joshua's reach is 82 inches compared to 76 for Paul.
People shared memes and jokes.
Paul was mocked online. "It’s more like a chest off," wrote another fan.
Boxer Ryan Garcia doesn't believe the fight will actually happen, but Paul and Joshua spoke like it is, bristling with bravado but also respect for each other's talents at the press conference.
"I seriously doubt this Jake vs Anthony fight takes place. It’s too much of a disadvantage, just don’t make sense. After the press conference that’s apparent," Garcia wrote on X, earning a retort from Paul.
"What don’t make sense is you fighting for a WBC belt after coming off an as* whoopin by Rolly and 5 other things I could bring up. But hey, that’s no knock on you, you have big…Nagh you ain’t have big nothing," Paul responded.
"I like to challenge myself," Paul said at the face-off press conference, when asked whether he was out of his mind. "I like to take on the biggest and the best. I said anyone, anytime, anyplace, and I truly mean that. And I'm here to go out there and shock the world."
"We're going to go to war," Paul added. He said he has succeeded due to "delusional optimism."
"No one thinks I'm going to win. Join the list and be ready to be shocked," said Paul.
Joshua "was always in the plans," said Paul. "Anthony Joshua said yes."
Joshua said in the press conference: "It was a great opportunity for me. It's an opportunity for me to fight...I said, 'Yeah, why not?' It's massive. It's colossal."
He said the Netflix show will "bring the whole world together." He described them as "two guys that just want to put on a good show."
"I don't think Jake's crazy. I think Jake's a logical person," said Joshua. "All he needs is belief in himself. All I need is belief in myself. It's not about being crazy. He knows what he can do. Good luck to him."
Paul added, "He's one of the best heavyweights ever. But I believe that fighting a smaller man is often times harder as a heavyweight because of the speed difference." He said that he just "has to avoid that one shot for eight rounds, and I believe that I can do that."
"When you look at it, he’s lost to guys who are smaller than him,” Paul told reporters. “It’s his weakness, his kryptonite — the faster guys who don’t get hit by his big punches."
“He’s an amazing fighter. One of the best heavyweights ever. I just think with speed and footwork, and being in a rhythm, I don’t think he can handle that," he added.
“He is a little bit stiff. He does rely on his power,” he continued. “You get hit by one of his shots, you’re cooked. But I believe I will be able to float like a butterfly and sting like a bee. He’s definitely a bit chinny. … He’s very tough, but I do see holes where I can land big shots.”
Joshua said he looks at Paul and sees "talent...He puts in the work."
"I'm going to break his face. I'm going to break his body up. I'm going to stomp all over him," Joshua added.