Anthony Joshua repeated his much-discussed remarks about being prepared to “kill” Jake Paul during a media gathering in Florida on Wednesday.
The remarks were originally stated on the previous day when the boxer was asked if he would hold back against the social media star, responding that “if I can kill you, I'll kill”.
Saturday's fight against the internet personality turned fighter has sparked criticism over safety concerns and the physical disparity between the two competitors.
Former titleholder The Gypsy King branded Anthony Joshua a “disgrace” for his extreme comments.
But Joshua, explained his mindset: “This is what I do, we fight. We have a license that permits extreme violence.
“I'm sure many people don't grasp it but this is what my job is. I take pleasure in what I do. Whatever happens, happens - provided that my hand is held high, that's what's paramount, with all due respect.”
He added, “That's just the mentality we have to have as fighters. I don't know if other boxers think that way. Maybe they're a bit more tame. The way my mind works. When you're in the ring, it's a perilous thing. Everything can happen.”
“You wish your adversary leaves the ring safely, but if they don't, you still have to go to bed knowing you just did your job. It was purely professional.”
Jake Paul, a massive outsider in the fight as a career cruiserweight, was equally combative in his reply.
“This is a contemporary gladiator sport,” Paul declared. “I'm ready. I want his hardest punches. I want there to be no excuses when it's all said and done. We should kill each other.”
Joshua will face Paul, in his twenties, at Miami's Kaseya Center in a bout many consider a glaring mismatch, with some suggesting it should have been sanctioned as an exhibition bout.
The official fight will be contested over eight three-minute rounds using standard ten-ounce padded gloves, with a stipulated maximum weight for Joshua.
Despite the graphic language used, Joshua said he has been “called in to rescue” boxing.
“They want me to halt the Jake Paul show and I understand it and that's why I have to bear boxing on my back in this fight,” he concluded.
The news conference also had more humorous exchanges, with AJ smiling as his rival sang a nursery rhyme to him.
The final staredown concluded without incident, with the underdog adopting a odd pose before the champion remained calm and playfully grabbed his chain.
The peculiar nature of this fight has led to rumors about its authenticity, including suggestions that he may be prohibited from scoring a knockout.
“There's nothing in the agreement, AJ can confirm it. We're going to war,” Jake Paul said.
The former champion, sporting a valuable chain, jokingly remarked, “The only thing in the agreement that got my attention was the payment.”
Paul has claimed on social media that the fight earnings will be extremely high.
Paul first made his name as an online prankster, gathering a huge online audience.
He has never fought anyone of the former champion's calibre but insisted that his rival would take him seriously.
“It's smart on his part,” he said. “This could potentially be, and will be, the largest defeat of his life.”
A win for Paul would be perhaps the most shocking surprise in the sport's history.
It would undoubtedly leave an indelible stain on Joshua's legacy, but the fighter stated it would not spell the end.
“I'd come back again, shake it off,” he said. “I'll be headlining again in a year or two. It is what it is. I'm a competitor in the sport.”
Elara Vance is a dedicated MapleStory enthusiast and gaming writer, known for creating in-depth guides and staying updated on game mechanics.
