Anthony Joshua doubles down on Jake Paul 'kill' threat ahead of fight
Anthony Joshua has insisted he has a "licence to kill" after being criticised by Tyson Fury for saying Jake Paul is risking his life this weekend.
Former heavyweight world champion Joshua will take on YouTuber Paul in Miami on Friday night in a professionally-sanctioned contest. Earlier this week, Joshua said he could 'kill' Paul, a comment which drew criticism from bitter rival Fury; but Joshua doubled down on his claim last night.
"It's my job, we fight. We have a licence to kill," he said. "I'm sure many people don't understand it but this is what my job is. I just enjoy what I do. Whatever happens, happens - as long as my hand is raised, that's what's important, respectfully. That's just what the mentality we have to have as fighters. I don't know if other fighters think that way. Maybe they're a bit more tame.
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"The way my mind works. When you're in the ring, it's a dangerous thing. Anything can happen. You hope your opponent leaves the ring safely, but if they don't, you still have to go to bed knowing you just did your job. It wasn't personal."
Earlier, Fury, who is in talks to fight Joshua next year, condemned his rival's boast. “I’ve been sent a video of Anthony Joshua talking about killing somebody in a boxing ring," he said. "He’s a little bit long in the tooth to be talking s***e like that.
“And now he’s talking about killing him and all that to try and sell the fight; he's barking up the wrong tree. Here’s a fun fact, if I ever come across you, bum, I’m knocking you dead spark out. I ain’t a YouTuber or a man half your size, I am him, the man. You’re a classless loser, coming off a 15-month knockout defeat to a local lad [Daniel Dubois].