Jake Paul, Anthony Joshua weigh in ahead of blockbuster boxing bout

At Thursday’s official weigh-in in Miami, former heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua had no trouble gaining weight before facing social media disruptor Jake Paul.

Joshua, who was unable to exceed 245 pounds (111 kg), tipped the scales at 243.4 pounds (110 kg), per the rules of the fight.

Joshua, who typically fights in the heavyweight division at around 250 pounds (11 kg), was the lightest he’s ever been since winning his first heavyweight title fight against Oleksandr Usyk on September 25, 2021.

Paul (12-1, 7 KOs) weighed 216 pounds (98 kilograms), which is 13 centimeters shorter than the Briton, who is 16 centimeters taller at 1. 98m (Six feet, six inches).

The American’s weight exceeded his usual cruiserweight limit of 91 kg, or 200 pounds, just twice in his professional career.

After the weigh-in, Paul, who jeered up the audience and took to the stage first, said Joshua was nervous before the fight and that he would “shock the world” on Friday.

Fear is what I smell. I can see something in his eyes, Paul said.

“He is under a lot of pressure.” I’m free to fight. I’ve already won. He loses money in this circumstance. I’ve got him where I want him to be.

Joshua asserted that his talent would prevail over the smaller, less experienced boxer, who remained composed throughout the weigh-in if he had other options aside from when he shoved Paul’s fist away from his face and exclaimed “don’t touch me.”

“I’ll just outclass this kid,” I said. I’m a strong fighter. That is the difference. The 2012 Olympic champion described herself as a “serious, serious fighter.”

On Friday (03:30 GMT Saturday), the fight will take place at 10:30 PM at Miami’s Kaseya Center (03:30 GMT Sunday).

The event is an eight-round sanctioned bout with the use of 10-ounce gloves.

Joshua is making his first appearance in the ring since September 2024 when he defeated fellow Briton Daniel Dubois.

Prior to their unified junior lightweight title fight, challenger Leila Beaudoin placed at 130 pounds (58.9 kg) while defending champion Alycia Baumgardner placed at 129.2 pounds (58.6 kg) in the weigh-in for the co-main event.

Baumgardner is the clear favorite to keep her titles, having not lost any since 2018.