Anthony Joshua will face Jake Paul in Miami on 19 December, headlining an eight-round heavyweight fight live on Netflix.
The matchup has split the boxing world and triggered strong reactions from fighters, pundits, and promoters.
Anthony Joshua will face Jake Paul
The contest came together quickly after Paul’s fight with Gervonta Davis collapsed. His team began searching for a new opponent to keep him active before the end of 2025.
Terence Crawford was one of the names considered. Paul’s business partner, Nakisa Bidarian, said Crawford accepted an offer.
“There were probably 30 fighters who accepted to fight Jake,” Bidarian told TMZ. “AJ being one of them, Crawford being another.
“AJ is big, strong, and has knockout power, but he is definitely slower than Tank. He is definitely less skilled than Tank.
“It will give Jake the opportunity to display a better skill set than he would have against Tank.”
Steve Bunce calls it “ridiculous”
BBC boxing pundit Steve Bunce did not hide his feelings.
“Last November, Jake Paul fought Mike Tyson and nearly broke the world,” he said. “That is the reason this fight is happening.
“AJ has been made an offer he simply could not refuse.
“Jake Paul is a terrific novice. AJ will be at least six inches taller and perhaps four stone heavier. Lord only knows what will happen once the first bell sounds.”
Ben Davison adds his concerns
Joshua’s trainer, Ben Davison, sees the appeal but questions the event. “It is a bit like Floyd when he boxed McGregor. He was like, ‘I am robbing a bank.’
“If they are going to pay him ridiculous money to do that, then it is going to spike a bit of interest.
“I do not think it is good for boxing.
Davison pointed to Joshua’s win over Ngannou as a measure of the danger.
“Francis Ngannou is one of the most durable men on the planet, and look what happened there. He could play with him if he wanted to, or dispatch him.”
AJ could hurt Paul
Former British middleweight Nick Blackwell, who retired after suffering a life-changing brain injury, was blunt.
He said the fight is “so dangerous” and believes Joshua will “be able to do what he wants”.
Bidarian rejected those concerns. “I do not think it is reckless in any way, shape or form,” he said. “AJ is big, strong, but slower. In my mind, this is more sanctionable than many fights in boxing.”
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