Boxing fans are convinced Jake Paul is going to pull out of his fight with Anthony Joshua TODAY.

The YouTuber took to social media last night to say he plans to make a major announcement this afternoon, leading to speculation he is going to cancel his bout with Joshua. The heavyweights are due to clash in Miami next Friday in a controversial fight which has attracted significant criticism.

Paul is making a major step up in quality of opponent having previously taken on ex-MMA fighters and a 58-year-old Mike Tyson. The social media star showed off a black eye over the weekend which he revealed was inflicted in sparring by British former world champion Lawrence Okolie.

• Anthony Joshua breaks silence on Jake Paul contract rumour

• Andrew Tate undercard fights cancelled as Misfits suffers blow

And after preparing his fans for a "major update", users were quick to conclude Paul is pulling out of the fight. "Major update. Had to be done. It is what it is," wrote the boxer. One fan said immediately: "Aaaaaand the fights off… shaking my head" while another added: "Jake gonna come on in full body cast saying he broke every bone in his body from doing a belly flop off his balcony and won't be able to fight."

Paul is only scheduled to fight Joshua after he cancelled his bout with Gervonta Davis last month. Davis, a lightweight world champion, was accused of kidnapping by an ex-girlfriend and was removed from the fight. Paul chose to fight Joshua instead but doubts are now creeping in about that bout.

"We all knew it wasn’t going to happen; all for clout that’s it," wrote another fan. "It’ll end up being Jake vs Nate 2" while another added: "Realised you were about to get your face caved in and couldn't convince Joshua to take a dive."

Paul's update comes after Joshua admitted he can't afford to be taken the distance by the novice. "I really understand where they're coming from. I understand. I get it," he said of those who have demanded he stops Paul early.

"I know the expectations and demands these fans have. And I respect it. If I didn’t respect it, I’d be honest with you and say, 'No they’re talking rubbish,' but I do. I do get it because I hold myself in that same regard, so I need to [KO Jake] and that’s my intention, to seek and destroy."