Andy Devaney
When Under Armour decides to mix worlds, it doesn’t do things by halves. This time, the performance powerhouse threw two of Britain’s most explosive athletes into the same ring—boxing titan Anthony Joshua and UFC livewire Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett—and watched the sparks fly.
Two fighters. Two very different disciplines. One shared mentality: Be The Problem.
In a meeting that looked like calm shaking hands with chaos, Joshua and Pimblett teamed up with Under Armour to explore what happens when precision meets pandemonium. The pair swapped fight philosophies, techniques, and plenty of banter, as they tested each other’s strengths and shared their views on what it really takes to dominate in their respective sports.
This unlikely pairing is part of Under Armour’s bold ‘Be The Problem’ campaign—a celebration of athletes who disrupt, redefine, and refuse to fit neatly into anyone else’s rulebook. Joshua, the two-time heavyweight world champion, is the epitome of focus and control, a man who dismantles opponents with patience and power. Pimblett, on the other hand, is all fire and unpredictability—a whirlwind of energy who gets inside your head before he’s even thrown a punch.
Together, they’re a walking contradiction. And that’s exactly the point.
As part of their crossover training, Pimblett coached Joshua through the chokehold that sealed his UFC 314 victory over Michael Chandler, while Joshua repaid the favour with a masterclass in boxing footwork and timing. It wasn’t just a training session—it was a cultural exchange between two men who’ve built their careers on rewriting the rules.
Broadcaster David Alorka hosted the pair for a candid conversation about mindset, motivation, and the pursuit of greatness. Both fighters reflected on the highs, the pressure, and the purpose that comes with standing at the top of your game.
“When you are champion, there’s nothing better than living it,” said Joshua. “Because there’ll be a time when you look back and you’ll realise that was probably the best times of your life. So, while you’re on this journey to the top, own that!”
Pimblett, ever the showman, had his own trademark confidence on display. “I am just 100% confident about everything all the time. I am the opposite of a pessimist,” he said. “I think Liverpool are going to win everything, I think my teammates are going to win every fight they ever have. I think I am going to beat every single person that’s put in front of me. It’s just built into me.”
Between the sweat, laughs, and psychological warfare, both men were united by a shared mission: to keep evolving. And as they did it, they were clad in Under Armour’s UA HeatGear® baselayer—the brand’s original performance staple. Lightweight, sweat-wicking, and designed like a second skin, the HeatGear® is the silent partner in every athlete’s grind—built to keep them cool under pressure and relentless in pursuit.
In Joshua and Pimblett, Under Armour found the perfect embodiment of its mantra. Two fighters from different arenas. One message loud and clear: greatness doesn’t fit inside comfort zones.
