Heavyweight who sparred Anthony Joshua and shared gym with Jake Paul reveals why YouTuber shouldn’t be written off

HEAVYWEIGHT boxer David Adeleye has a message for those who think Jake Paul will be blown away by Anthony Joshua.

Former British champion Adeleye is better positioned than most to offer up a verdict on their scrap in Miami on December 19.

The 29-year-old has sparred with Joshua in the past and spent time up close with Paul in the gym.

And one thing he wants fans to appreciate is that Paul no longer behaves like a YouTuber.

He told Pro Boxing Fans: “Jake is a learner, he wants to listen, he asks questions, he digs deep, whatever is asked of him, he tries to provide.

“Everyone calls him a YouTuber, but this is a man with a lot of money. He pays for the best trainers, nutritionists, chefs, S&C coaches; he’s a full-time athlete now.”

Paul has been an active fighter for almost six years, racking up 12 wins and one defeat, with his only blemish a split decision loss to Tommy Fury in 2023.

He’s already worth an estimated £62million, and is set to pocket another £70m for the upcoming bout in Miami.

Paul has beaten a 58-year-old Mike Tyson and an over-the-hill Julio Cesar Chavez Jr but AJ will be by far his toughest test to date.

The Brit stands five inches taller and is expected to come in significantly heavier than Paul – even with the imposed weight limit.

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Adeleye was part of the Joshua camp that helped him prepare to fight Kubrat Pulev in 2020.

AJ knocked out the Bulgarian and has notched four other wins since, but his three fights against truly top-class opponents in the last five years – Oleksandr Usyk twice and Daniel Dubois – have all yielded defeats.

The jury’s out on whether Paul poses a real threat to Joshua but Adeleye refused to commit one way or the other.

He said: “I was in the gym with him [Joshua]. Good fight, good fight.

“You know, I’m the worst person, I always give political answers, I sit back. But listen, Jake Paul knows why he asked for AJ. We’ll see what happens.”