Mentality and mindset are huge in pro boxing and in all professional sport, Anthony Joshua is not in a good mental health lately.
It may appear he is but he’s not, rest assured.
Nor would anyone after been viciously knocked out like he was by Daniel Dubois in his last fight.
It was one of the most brutal knockouts ever suffered in heavyweight championship history and saw Joshua lose his IBF title at the time.
Dubois since was knocked out by Oleksandr Usyk earlier this year.
Joshua has been out of the ring since September 2024 as well.
Let’s look at the facts.
The Factor In Joshua’s Mind Going Into Jake Paul Fight
The Dubois loss was Joshua’s first knockout defeat.
Joshua watches the fifth-round KO daily for motivation.
He added specific southpaw defense drills because of Dubois.
The loss dropped Joshua from top-5 rankings temporarily.
Joshua promised “Paul pays for what Dubois did.”
Training intensity tripled after watching the defeat tape.
He brought in taller southpaw sparring partners.
Joshua’s coach says “that loss created a monster.”
The Dubois fight lasted longer than experts give Paul.
Joshua vowed “never again” regarding getting caught clean.
All the pressure is firmly on Joshua’s shoulders in this fight on December 19th with Jake Paul.
So many outside the ring things will be happening for Joshua in the build up to this in the weeks ahead with different forces bidding on his time and attention.
If he takes his eye off the ball, it is heavyweight boxing after all.
Pressure is off Paul.
Let’s see who’s judgement day it will be, Anthony Joshua or Jake Paul.
