The former heavyweight world champion will take on the YouTuber-turned-boxer in a controversial bout in Miami on December 19 but has dismissed suggestions that he will be going lightly on Paul in the ring.

Joshua told ESPN: "I don't know how to take it easy on an opponent. I just can't do that. With this fight I know I'm going in there to box and hurt. It has nothing to do with a contract; it's just my mood. Contractually there is nothing to say what I can and can't do. My mood is to go in there, box, outclass, outshine and hurt my opponent no matter who it is."

Joshua holds a significant size advantage over Paul and is planning to add the social media star to his list of knockout wins.

The British boxer said: "There's zero chance this fight goes the distance. It might go one round. It might go two rounds, but he won't see the final bell."

Joshua stressed that the fight will only be successful for him if he knocks Paul out.

The pugilist said: "It's a win-win situation for Jake Paul because he's in there with me and he could come back stronger even in defeat.

"But the only way it's a win-win for me is if I get the knockout. I've learned about speaking things into existence so I'm telling everyone that I am getting that knockout."

Paul has never fought an opponent of Joshua's calibre during his career in the ring but promoter Nakisa Bidarian is confident that the YouTuber will emerge victorious.

Bidarian - who co-founded Most Valuable Promotions with Paul - told Sky Sports News: "The fight is called Jake versus Joshua and I very much expect Jake to come out the victor.

"Does he go in there with the risk of getting knocked out? Absolutely. That's what boxing is about and Anthony Joshua is one of the biggest boxers, biggest punchers, most devastating knockout artists that exist.

"But Jake's been predicting this since March of this year. He's been planning for this this entire time."