Anthony Joshua is on track to make his target weight for his fight with Jake Paul and is taking the test very seriously.
That is the latest update from promoter Eddie Hearn who has spoken to the British heavyweight ahead of his bizarre but huge showdown with Paul on December 19 in Miami.
AJ is being forced to make a specific weight limit for the first time in his career, with a contracted clause not permitting him to weigh more than 245lbs on the day he tips the scales.
And he has been training with Oleksandr Usyk’s team in a new partnership to try and stay motivated and in shape ahead of the showdown for which he is huge favourite to win.
In a fresh update on how Joshua’s preparations are unfolding so far, Eddie Hearn told talkSPORT Breakfast he is leaving no stone unturned.
He said: “He’s good, he’s really dialled in as if he was fighting an elite heavyweight.
“The one thing he always does is take everything seriously and he is doing so for this, he’s in tremendous shape.
“The difference is in this fight is he has to make a specific weight which is a lot lighter than he would be going into this fight.
“But he’s on track and is in Miami with not long to go until the fight. I can’t believe what’s about to happen to be honest.
“Yeah he’s ready to go and do a job on him, and I just can’t believe we’ve signed the contract to fight him.”
Joshua then posted an image of him tipping the scales on social media after Hearn’s comments.
He already tipped the scales at 244.7lbs, inside of the limit with 14 days to go until weigh-in day.
Hearn’s thoughts on Paul vs Joshua as a spectacle
The showdown has been met with widespread backlash, largely from boxing purists who can’t believe the fight is happening.
But it will be a professional bout to go on AJ’s stellar record, having been sanctioned by the Florida Athletic Commission.
For many of Paul’s previous bouts including his contentious solo heavyweight appearance against Mike Tyson, many have suggested that the bouts are ‘scripted’.
Paul has vehemently denied the allegations, and Hearn shares that exact stance from Joshua’s camp, insisting it will be a priority demolition job.
He continued: “I mean it’s not going to be an easy night work for Jake.
“People keep coming up to me and asking if there is a script. First of all of course there isn’t.
“Then I said ‘actually yeah, there is a script, we are going to go out in the first round and smash him to bits.”
Joshua’s training for Jake Paul fight
Joshua has had a change of scenery, leaving the UK and his recent trainer Ben Davison, who coached him for his last three fights.
The Briton went to Spain after recovering from elbow surgery to link up with former rival Usyk’s camp.
Despite not sparring with the Ukrainian, Joshua is living the life of the most recent undisputed heavyweight king.
And he is certain that it will provide him for the best platform to beat Paul, and launch a world title bid in 2026.
