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MIAMI, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 18: Jake Paul gestures during his ceremonial weigh-in ahead his fight as part of Jake Paul v Anthony Joshua at The Fillmore Miami Beach on December 18, 2025 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Leonardo Fernandez/Getty Images)
Theo “Third” Chambers once wanted no part of YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul.
Now, the highly respected trainer is firmly in the Problem Child’s corner and will be backing Paul when he faces Anthony Joshua on Friday.
Joshua (28-4, 24 KOs) meets Paul (12-1, 7 KOs) in a professional eight-round heavyweight bout on Dec. 19 at Miami’s Kaseya Center, with the fight streaming on Netflix.
The matchup stands as one of the most unconventional in recent years, with the 28-year-old Paul aiming to upset the 36-year-old former two-time heavyweight champion.
In Paul’s corner is Chambers and a team out of the esteemed Kronk Gym in Detroit. Here’s five fast facts about Chambers.
GettyMIAMI, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 18: Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua face off during their ceremonial weigh-in ahead their fight as part of Jake Paul v Anthony Joshua at The Fillmore Miami Beach on December 18, 2025 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Leonardo Fernandez/Getty Images)
1. Chambers Didn’t Want to Train Paul At First
Chambers originally didn’t want to train Paul before he agreed to become head coach about two years ago.
Chambers told SunSport in June: “I said no! I was training world class fighters, ranked fighters.
“I mean, at the time when he said YouTube, I didn’t even know what that meant. And then when I actually found out what it meant, then I really wasn’t.”
2. Chambers is Part of Detroit’s Kronk Gym
Kronk Gym is famous for developing world-class fighters under the guidance of legendary trainer Emanuel “Manny” Steward.
Chambers trained at Kronk from a young age and has gone on to work with world champions such as Andre Dirrell and Cornelius Bundrage. J’Leon Love, a fixture in Jake Paul’s camp since his professional debut, also honed his skills at the storied gym.
It was Love, now an assistant coach, who first approached Chambers about joining the YouTuber-turned-boxer’s team.
3. Chambers Impressed With Paul’s Performance Against Silva and Fury
Chambers was ultimately persuaded to join Paul’s team after watching his performances in key bouts, including his win over UFC legend Anderson Silva and his competitive loss to Tommy Fury.
Chambers told SunSport: “Every fight that Jake had, J’Leon was there so he would always call me before the fights. ‘Hey, watch it on TV, watch it, watch it.’
“And you know, because I love J’Leon, he’s my brother and I’ve been training him since he was 15 years old, so I watched the kid.
“And it ain’t so much me looking at skill-wise, it’s where’s his heart? Where’s his passion at to even be a boxer.
“But when he fought Anderson Silva, that’s what let me know that he had it in him.
“Then when he fought Fury, even, even in his loss with Fury, with me, he won.
“So then when they came back around to me, ‘Would you train Jake?’ I said yes I will train Jake.”
4. Chambers Has Cornered Paul to Six Consecutive Victories
After his loss to Fury, the Problem Child split with former coaches BJ Flores and Danny Smith, with Chambers stepping in as their replacement.
Since joining Paul’s camp, Chambers has been instrumental in sharpening Paul’s boxing skills. He has cornered him through six straight victories, including marquee bouts against Mike Tyson and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
5. Chambers Brought In World Class Sparring Partners
To ensure Paul was fully prepared for the challenge ahead, Chambers brought in several elite sparring partners, including former cruiserweight champion Lawrence Okolie, Cuban standout Frank Sanchez and top U.S. prospect Jared Anderson.
In the weeks before the fight, Paul was spotted with a black eye, reportedly sustained during a tough sparring session with Okolie.
Reflecting on his regular rounds with seasoned heavyweight contenders, Paul said the demanding preparation would pay dividends ahead of Friday’s clash.
Drake Bentley is an award-winning investigative journalist and breaking news reporter for Heavy, covering football, basketball, legal affairs and entertainment. Drake has covered sports, including the NBA Finals, NFL Draft, and major trending stories, since 2019. More about Drake Bentley
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