Usyk Warning sparks concern as the former champion says Anthony Joshua could seriously hurt Jake Paul ahead of their December showdown.

Former undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk issued a stark Usyk Warning on Wednesday, expressing deep concern for Jake Paul ahead of Paul’s 19 December bout against Anthony Joshua and cautioning that the British-Nigerian heavyweight could kill the American if the fight becomes one-sided.

Also read: Oleksandr Usyk eyes Deontay Wilder for next bout

Oleksandr Usyk, who fought a combined 24 rounds with Anthony Joshua without suffering defeat, said the gulf in experience and physicality between the pair made the matchup dangerous.

Their most recent fight weights show a difference of 52 pounds, while Anthony Joshua also stands five inches taller.

Speaking to Boxing Scene, Oleksandr Usyk described Anthony Joshua as an Olympic champion and seasoned professional, contrasting him with Jake Paul, whom he characterised as a sportsman, YouTuber and showman.

Usyk added that he would pray for Jake Paul and admitted he still hoped to face him in the octagon at a later date.

Having moved from cruiserweight to heavyweight himself, Oleksandr Usyk understands the challenge of fighting naturally bigger opponents.

He became undisputed champion twice despite consistently giving away size, a feat that cemented his reputation as one of the division’s most resilient champions.

Usyk stressed, however, that Jake Paul’s circumstances were vastly different.

Jake Paul turned professional in 2020 after only one amateur white-collar contest, at a time when Anthony Joshua had already reigned twice as unified heavyweight champion and achieved Olympic gold.

Oleksandr Usyk recently squared up with Jake Paul to promote a potential MMA contest, but he warned that any such plans relied on Jake Paul emerging unscathed from the forthcoming clash at the Kaseya Centre in Miami.

Jake Paul enters the contest with a 12-1 record built mostly against limited or faded opposition.

Also read: Anthony Joshua may fight Usyk, Fury

His only defeat came against Tommy Fury in 2023, raising further questions about how he will cope with Anthony Joshua’s power, pedigree and heavyweight experience.