Youtuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul may be in for a harsh reality check when he steps into the ring against Anthony Joshua on December 19, according to heavyweight Otto Wallin. Wallin, who fought Joshua twice as an amateur, described the British fighter as the hardest hitter he has ever faced.

Despite losing both amateur bouts, Wallin pursued a professional fight against Joshua in Riyadh in December 2023. The encounter ended after five rounds when Wallin’s corner called a halt, leaving the Swedish boxer with some painful memories.

“For Jake Paul, it’s pretty dangerous to face Joshua because he hits incredibly hard. I know that—he hits like no one I’ve ever faced,” Wallin told Reuters, expressing disbelief that the fight was happening at all. “I don’t understand why Jake Paul is taking this fight—they must be seriously underestimating Joshua. I won’t believe it’s happening until they’re actually in the ring.”

At a recent press conference promoting the fight, set for eight three-minute rounds in Miami, 36-year-old Joshua towered over Paul, who typically competes at cruiserweight.

Wallin, who earned acclaim for going the distance with Tyson Fury in 2019, sees the matchup as a straightforward win for Joshua. “He’s facing a cruiserweight who isn’t that good. It should be a simple win for Joshua, and he’ll make a lot of money from it. But it’s a dangerous sport, and Paul could get badly knocked out or injured in this match,” he said.

Although Wallin endured heavy blows in his own bout with Fury, he insists Joshua is in a different league. With 25 of his 28 professional victories coming by knockout, Joshua’s power is undeniable. Wallin points to Joshua’s second-round knockout of former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou as proof.

“Joshua hits unbelievably hard, harder than anyone I’ve ever known. Look at what he did against Ngannou—he’s bigger, stronger, and better than Jake Paul,” Wallin said.

While some in the boxing world dismiss influencer boxers like Paul, Wallin has previously acknowledged their role in bringing new fans to the sport. Still, he remains skeptical about Paul’s chances against a former world champion.

“I think Joshua wins pretty easily and quickly—he knocked out Ngannou in two rounds, and Jake Paul won’t last that long either,” Wallin concluded.