MIAMI BEACH — The time for pleasantries has come and gone.

What has largely been a cordial build-up reached a fever pitch at the ceremonial weigh-in Thursday at Jackie Gleason Theater at The Fillmore Miami Beach. Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul both put their fists to each other’s faces during an intense final stare down, and in the interview after the weigh-in, Joshua made a chilling promise to Paul.

“I’m a serious fighter,” Joshua said. “You’re going to get f----- up.”

Joshua and Paul will meet in a scheduled eight-round heavyweight fight on Friday at Kaseya Center in Miami on Netflix. Both fighters will wear 10-ounce gloves, which is typical for a heavyweight fight, though the fight will be in a slightly larger ring at 22-by-22 feet compared to the standard 20-by-20-foot ring.

Earlier on Thursday at the official weigh-in, Paul weighed 216.6 pounds, while Joshua was 243.4 pounds. Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs) couldn’t weigh more than 245 pounds, per their contract.

Joshua, 36, will be fighting for the first time since his fifth-round knockout loss to former IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois in September of last year. Joshua is a two-time unified heavyweight champion and 2012 Olympic gold medalist.

Paul (12-1, 7 KOs), will be making an enormous leap in competition to face Joshua. The 28-year-old YouTuber-turned-boxer has won six straight fights, with his last win being a one-sided unanimous decision over former middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. on June 28.

“I smell fear,” Paul said. “I truly do. The pressure is on him. I’m fighting free. I’ve already won. This is a lose-lose situation for him. I’ve got him in a corner right where I want him. ... I’m f------ him up.”

Paul made his pro debut in 2020 in Miami on a card promoted by Matchroom Boxing, the banner under which Joshua has fought under his entire career. Joshua said his promoter, Eddie Hearn, brought him in to bring Paul’s career full circle.

“[Eddie Hearn] is the man who started Jake’s pro career,” Joshua said. “He helped Jake have his pro debut, and he’s brought me in to end Jake Paul’s boxing career.”