The highly anticipated and controversial boxing match between YouTube personality–turned–professional fighter Jake Paul and former two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is set to take place in Miami, drawing intense global attention and renewed debate about the boundaries of modern boxing.

Speaking less than 24 hours before the bout, Paul told ESPN combat sports reporter Andreas Hale that he intends to deliver what he described as “the biggest upset in sports history,” predicting a victory he believes would transcend the sport itself.

Paul has framed the contest through the biblical story of David and Goliath, repeatedly portraying himself as the underestimated challenger facing an overwhelming force. He told ESPN that he has studied the story closely in preparation for the fight, saying his Christian faith has shaped both his mindset and strategy.

According to Paul, there will be a brief moment in the fight when Joshua becomes vulnerable, and he believes he has the power and timing to capitalize on it. He has openly predicted that he will knock out Joshua, comparing the potential outcome to “a biblical, like reimagining David beating Goliath.”

Despite Paul’s confidence, betting markets reflect the scale of the challenge. DraftKings Sportsbook lists him as a +650 underdog against Joshua, who remains one of the most accomplished heavyweights of his generation.

Joshua, a former unified world champion, has spent more than a decade competing at the elite level, while Paul has just over five years of professional boxing experience and has never faced an opponent with Joshua’s credentials.

Paul insists his preparation has gone beyond hype, arguing that his jab, not his right hand, is his most effective punch and the foundation of his offense. He said he expects to surprise critics with his technical improvement and predicted an early finish, stating, “I think I end up knocking him out in the fourth or fifth round.”

He acknowledged that Joshua is the most accomplished opponent of his career, but suggested that a victory would open a new chapter for him, including ambitions outside the ring, such as inspiring a global audience and potentially pursuing politics.

The matchup has drawn sharp criticism from boxing insiders, many of whom question both its legitimacy and safety. Otto Wallin, a world-class heavyweight who was stopped by Joshua in December 2023 after suffering a broken nose, warned that Joshua’s punching power poses a serious danger. Wallin, who also inflicted a severe cut on Tyson Fury during their 2019 bout, described Joshua’s punches as “sharp, very hard and fast,” cautioning bluntly that “Jake Paul can get hurt.”

Veteran ESPN journalist Mark Kriegel has been particularly outspoken, describing the fight as “a disgrace” and arguing that it represents a spectacle rather than a legitimate sporting contest. Kriegel compared the bout to a dangerous stunt, suggesting it prioritizes attention and profit over competitive integrity.

Scrutiny has also focused on the Florida State Athletic Commission, which sanctioned the fight despite the significant disparity in experience and size between the two fighters.

Andy Foster, executive director of the California State Athletic Commission, said he would not be comfortable approving such a matchup in California and expressed the view that Paul should earn more legitimate heavyweight wins before facing a fighter of Joshua’s calibre.

Questions submitted to Florida officials regarding medical evaluations, regulatory considerations, and whether a lesser-known boxer with Paul’s record would have received similar approval went unanswered. The lack of response has fueled speculation that the commercial value of the event may have influenced the decision to sanction the bout.

Foster pointed to a previous case that has heightened concerns about regulatory oversight. In 2021, California declined to sanction a fight between 58-year-old Evander Holyfield and 44-year-old Vitor Belfort. That bout later took place in Florida, where Holyfield was knocked out in 109 seconds and subsequently placed under medical suspension.

As Paul and Joshua prepare to enter the ring, the fight has come to symbolize a broader debate within boxing over safety, regulation, and the growing influence of high-revenue crossover events on the sport’s traditional safeguards.