Shannon Briggs Trained Jake Paul and Delivers Anthony Joshua Fight Verdict: “This Is the End”
Former heavyweight champion Shannon Briggs has never been one to mince words. Known as much for his thunderous knockouts as his booming voice, Briggs has now delivered a chilling verdict on Anthony Joshua — and the boxing world is paying attention. Speaking after his recent involvement training YouTube-turned-boxer Jake Paul, Briggs issued a stark assessment of Joshua’s future at the very top of the sport, declaring bluntly: “This is the end.”
Briggs, who has spent years around elite fighters and modern boxing camps, believes Joshua’s problems run far deeper than a single loss or tactical mistake. According to the former WBO heavyweight champion, Joshua’s decline is mental as much as physical — and once that erosion begins, it is almost impossible to reverse at championship level.
“Talent doesn’t disappear,” Briggs explained. “But belief does. When a fighter starts thinking instead of reacting, when he hesitates instead of exploding, that’s when it’s over. And I see that in Joshua now.”
Anthony Joshua, a two-time unified heavyweight champion, once looked like the future of the division — an athletic powerhouse with devastating power, discipline, and commercial appeal. But since his shock defeat to Andy Ruiz Jr. and subsequent losses in major fights, critics have increasingly questioned his confidence, aggression, and killer instinct.
Briggs believes those doubts are justified.
“He’s not the same animal,” Briggs said. “Heavyweight boxing is about dominance. Fear. Presence. When you lose that edge, the other guy feels it immediately. They walk you down. They don’t respect you anymore.”
The comments carry extra weight given Briggs’ recent work with Jake Paul, a fighter often dismissed by traditional boxing voices but praised by Briggs for his hunger and mental clarity. Briggs drew a sharp contrast between Paul’s mindset and Joshua’s current state.
“Jake listens. Jake believes. Jake wants to improve every single day,” Briggs said. “That hunger? That’s what champions need. Joshua already had it — but it looks like it slipped away.”
Briggs stopped short of calling Joshua washed, but his conclusion was unmistakably grim. In his view, Joshua may still win fights, sell arenas, and remain a major figure in boxing — but his days as a truly feared heavyweight contender are over.
“This is the end of that version of Joshua,” Briggs said. “The champion who scared people. The one who took souls. That guy?
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