Resurfaced Footage Shows Jake Paul Sparring With a 280lb Heavyweight
Boxing has a way of letting fans down these days, especially when it comes to the biggest heavyweight showdowns. Anthony Joshua has often been central to that frustration.
The former unified champion, still not far removed from his knockout loss to Daniel Dubois last September, cemented his elite credentials with a legendary victory over Wladimir Klitschko in 2017. Yet the long-anticipated fights with Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder never materialised, which many feel has tarnished his legacy.
Now, though, Joshua has agreed to take on YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul next month. Paul, 28, usually fights at cruiserweight but will step back up to heavyweight after beating a 58-year-old Mike Tyson last November.
A divisive figure in the sport, Paul rose to prominence during the boom of “influencer boxing” and has gradually carved out a reputation as a legitimate professional. Despite criticism for facing mostly retired MMA veterans and older boxers, he has continued to push forward. His lone defeat came against Tommy Fury in February 2023 — still his toughest matchup in terms of size and age.
Paul is the clear underdog for the December 19 bout in Miami against Joshua, but resurfaced footage of him sparring with a WBA-ranked heavyweight has raised some eyebrows.
In preparation for Tyson, Paul was filmed landing a clean overhand right that sent sparring partner DeAndre Savage — then 10-0 — down to a knee.
Savage told Pro Boxing Fans at the time: “Jake caught me with a good right hand, and I just went down to my knee and got back up. That was it.”
Although Savage has since suffered his first loss, the clip highlighted Paul’s notable punching power. Savage typically weighs between 265 and 300 pounds.
During his Tyson camp, Paul weighed around 16st 2lb and had been planning a drop back to cruiserweight in hopes of a mega-fight with Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, though the Mexican star ultimately pulled out of talks. As things stand, Paul will now head back to heavyweight to meet the two-time world champion.
