Anthony Joshua calls Jake Paul 'great for boxing' after 'throwing himself in the deep end' against Tyron Woodley

ANTHONY JOSHUA has welcomed Jake Paul into the boxing fold by labelling him “great” for the sport.

YouTuber Paul has been a controversial figure since making his outspoken debut in the ring against online rival ‘AnEsonGib’ last year.

The 24-year-old has revelled in trash-talking and famously scuffled with Floyd Mayweather at a press conference ahead of brother Logan’s fight with the great welterweight.

But his record now stands at 4-0 and in August he claimed the biggest win of his career, a points verdict over eight rounds against the tough ex-UFC champion Tyron Woodley.

Paul’s foray into boxing has drawn criticism from professional fighters, with UFC star Nate Diaz tweeting “these guys both suck” following Paul’s clash with Woodley.

But Britain’s world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has given his support to the American as he continues to build his reputation.

Joshua told IFLTV: "[He’s] great for boxing. He's trying, zero amateur experience, throwing himself in the deep end.

“He'll probably learn a lot more than a lot of fighters, throwing himself in the deep end, putting himself under pressure. Good luck to him."

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Paul has been given the green light by coach BJ Flores to fight Britain’s Tommy Fury next.

The 2019 Love Island star beat Paul’s sparring partner Anthony Taylor over four rounds in late August, the night Paul claimed victory over Woodley.

It set up Fury, 22, and the 24-year-old Paul for a possible fight, with training camps started up as early as next week.

But Paul is also in line for a $30million Thanksgiving winner-take-all fight with ex-UFC champion Vitor Belfort.

Joshua meanwhile, faces Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 25.

A much-anticipated all-British bout between Joshua and Fury’s brother Tyson has been long in the making, with fellow Brit David Haye claiming Tyson is avoiding his British rival.

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