Former Joshua training partner extends support to Jake Paul's training.

British heavyweight Lawrence Okolie has extended a helping hand to Jake Paul as the YouTuber-turned-boxer gears up to face Anthony Joshua. The showdown between Paul and Joshua, set for Miami, will be an eight-round professional bout with 10-ounce gloves. Joshua, coming off a Round 5 defeat against Daniel Dubois in September 2024, is eager to make a strong comeback. Meanwhile, Okolie, a former cruiserweight champion with a record of 22-1 and 16 KOs, is preparing for his upcoming fight in Nigeria on Dec. 19. The match marks his return to the ring since July, when a torn bicep forced him out during Round 1. Despite being in training camp in Dubai, Okolie has expressed a mix of curiosity and concern for Paul's well-being and has offered to spar with him. "I want to give Jake Paul a shot and prevent him from facing severe harm," Okolie stated. He is intrigued by Paul's decision to step into the ring with a renowned heavyweight like Joshua and aims to provide him with a taste of what it's like to spar with a top-tier opponent beforehand. Reflecting on the unconventional matchup, Okolie mused about Paul's apparent confidence and pondered if there's a hidden aspect to Paul's approach that he's unaware of. Having sparred with Joshua previously, Okolie refrained from ruling out the possibility of the Paul-Joshua fight extending beyond a few rounds, contrary to widespread expectations. Despite acknowledging the significant gap in size and skill between the fighters, Okolie acknowledged that surprising outcomes are not unheard of in the sport. Speculating on the potential dynamics of the bout, Okolie suggested that if Paul manages to land significant blows on Joshua, the situation could escalate into a more intense exchange. As the anticipation builds for the unconventional matchup between Paul and Joshua, Okolie remains intrigued by the unfolding narrative and the uncertainties that come with it.