Could Jake Paul actually win against Anthony Joshua? That's the question rocking the boxing world, and the answer might surprise you. Former world champion Lawrence Okolie, who's been sparring with Paul, is making some bold claims. He suggests that the YouTube star has a "very good chance" against the former heavyweight king, Anthony Joshua. But here's where it gets controversial... could a novice boxer really stand a chance against a seasoned pro like Joshua?
Paul has been leaving no stone unturned in his preparation, hiring a stable of heavyweight contenders to help him get ready for the fight, scheduled to take place in Miami. The fight will be broadcast in the early hours of Saturday for UK viewers. Okolie, a world titleholder at cruiserweight and bridgerweight, initially approached the training camp with some skepticism.
"When I arrived, I asked the coaches quietly - what percentage do you want me to spar at? They looked at me funny and said no, do what you do, go 100 percent," Okolie revealed to Sky Sports. This speaks volumes about the intensity and seriousness of Paul's training regime. And this is the part most people miss: Paul isn't just relying on hype; he's putting in some serious work.
Okolie was visibly impressed by the camp's structure and the level of sparring partners Paul had assembled. "They ran a great camp there. It looked like any world title camp I've ever seen, or held myself. Even I haven't had a camp with that level of sparring partners in a long time - myself, Jared Anderson, and Frank Sanchez. It's a big ask, but he did it - and he did well I'll be honest." Having sparring partners like Anderson and Sanchez, both top-tier heavyweight prospects, is a testament to Paul's commitment.
"I was surprised," Okolie admitted. "Watching him spar other guys, and surprised actually by how hard he was to do what I usually do against people. I couldn't just walk him down and beat on him. He was throwing his own punches back and moving well, and the main thing was he was adapting and improving every day. I wish that it was a longer camp for him as well. I would love to see what he would've been like after three months of it." Okolie's comments highlight Paul's adaptability and willingness to learn, crucial attributes for any boxer facing a significant skill gap.
"He's way better now than when I first saw him. Genuinely I was scared for him when they said he was going to fight AJ. I thought he wouldn't be able to spend the money, but now if he boxes how he sparred, he's got a good chance of looking really good." Okolie's initial apprehension stemmed from the sheer magnitude of the challenge, but his perspective has shifted dramatically after witnessing Paul's progress firsthand.
While Joshua boasts an impressive pedigree as a former Olympic gold medalist and two-time unified world heavyweight champion, Paul's dedication might level the playing field somewhat. It's important to remember that boxing is not just about experience; it's about strategy, power, and mental fortitude.
"It's definitely not a whitewash, but maybe I'm biased," Okolie stated, acknowledging his potential bias while still emphasizing Paul's improvements. But remember, sparring is different from an actual fight under the bright lights.
"Jake is a lot better than I thought. I think he's got a very good boxing brain, good application, and good grit." These are strong words from a seasoned professional, suggesting that Paul possesses more than just a celebrity persona.
"I think the fight depends on the first two or three rounds and how he approaches them. If he approaches them how he did in sparring then he's got a very good chance and he's going to look great. People are going to be very shocked." The early rounds will be crucial for Paul to establish his presence and demonstrate his skills.
"However I'm always nervous when people I've sparred fight - it's ten ounce [gloves], different emotions, different energy, different build up. It's not walking into a gym you've seen 100 times and putting on your head guard. Can you handle it? If he can handle it - it's going to be a beautiful, beautiful watch." Okolie raises a crucial point: the pressure of a real fight is vastly different from the controlled environment of a sparring session. Can Paul translate his training success to the big stage? That’s the million-dollar question.
In related news, Okolie himself is gearing up for a main event clash against Ebenezer Tetteh in Lagos, Nigeria, on Sunday. He's also potentially on a collision course with rising heavyweight prospect Moses Itauma, with a WBC final eliminator bout on the horizon. "For me this fight is the one before the big one," Okolie explained. "I'm going to go out there, do my job, not do anything silly and win by knockout - then we'll be back out here in Nigeria for a big one. I'm in a final eliminator for the world title with Moses Itauma after both of our next fights - so I believe that is what's next. That's the fight I want next. After that I'll be mandatory for the world title, so 2026 will be a massive year. He's young with the world at his feet. I'm trying to become a three-weight world champion, and to do so I've got to beat the young lion. I was the first person to say how great he was at a young age. And I won't stop. Even when I beat him, I'll still say he is a great fighter."
So, what do you think? Is Okolie right? Does Jake Paul have a legitimate shot against Anthony Joshua, or is this just hype? Could Paul's dedication and unorthodox approach catch Joshua off guard? Or will Joshua's experience and power prove too much for the YouTube star? Share your predictions and thoughts in the comments below!
