Jake Paul given black eye in sparring by Brit boxer ahead of Anthony Joshua fight
Jake Paul has been left with a black eye ahead of his fight against Anthony Joshua.
The YouTube star turned boxer suffered the injury during a sparring session in his training camp.
Paul is set to face Joshua at the Kaseya Centre in Miami on Friday, December 19.
The pair will meet in the ring after the Brit stepped in to replace Gervonta Davis after his bout with Paul was cancelled.
Joshua is a two-time former heavyweight world champion but has not fought for over a year.
His last bout came in September 2024 against Daniel Dubois, with his compatriot triumphing to claim the IBF heavyweight world title.
Paul has been sparring with another British heavyweight during his preparations to face Joshua.
The 28-year-old has spent time in the ring with Lawrence Okolie during his camp.
Okolie is a former bridgerweight and cruiserweight world champion.
His last fight against Kevin Lerena in July ended in a unanimous decision victory as Okolie moved to 22-1 as a professional.
He has since been ordered to face Moses Itauma in a world title eliminator next year.
In the mean time, though, he left Paul with a black eye following a recent sparring session.
The American sported the bruised eye during an interview with streamer Adin Ross.
Damage from the incident was visible around Paul’s right eye during a clip from their conversation.
Asked about the black eye, he explained: “I’m sparring a bunch of world champion heavyweights, I think Lawrence Okolie did that to me, he’s like 6ft 6in, 270lbs.”
Meanwhile, Paul added that he currently weighs around 215lbs less than two weeks before the fight.
Speaking to Ross on Saturday, he admitted: “I’m like 215lbs. (I have to get to) 218, 220lbs.”
Joshua must adhere to a 245lbs weight limit for the fight after stepping in to replace Davis.
The bout will consist of eight three-minute rounds, with the fighters wearing 10oz gloves.
Paul’s 12-1 professional record includes wins over Mike Tyson, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and former UFC fighter Nate Diaz.
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