Anthony Joshua enters Friday night’s clash with Jake Paul as a heavy favourite, but one Hall of Fame fighter believes the odds are wrong. Former two-weight world champion Tim Bradley has revealed he is backing Paul to pull off a stunning upset, placing a four-figure wager on the YouTuber-turned-boxer to defeat the former unified heavyweight champion.
The bout at the Kaseya Center in Miami has already drawn enormous attention, with Paul attempting to topple a vastly more experienced opponent despite having no amateur background and just 13 professional fights. Joshua’s résumé includes Olympic gold and multiple world titles, yet Bradley believes the circumstances surrounding the matchup make it far from a formality.
Bradley, inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2023 and now an ESPN analyst, said his doubts centre on Joshua’s mindset. He pointed to Joshua’s own comments about money as a concern, contrasting that with Paul’s commitment. Bradley highlighted Paul’s preparation, including work with strength and conditioning coach Larry Wade, and said he sees a fighter fully invested in improving power, speed, and stamina.
Paul comes into the fight off a unanimous decision win over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in June, while Joshua has not fought in 15 months since suffering a fifth-round knockout loss to Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium. That performance, Bradley admitted, played a major role in his decision to bet $5,000 on Paul, calling the odds too tempting to ignore.
Despite Paul being priced as a significant underdog and having never beaten an opponent close to Joshua’s level, Bradley remains convinced the upset is possible. He pointed specifically to Paul’s overhand right and punching power, acknowledging the gamble but insisting that, on this occasion, he is willing to bet big against boxing’s established order.
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