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Anthony Joshua to face Jake Paul in December bout amid mixed reactions
Former two-time unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua will fight YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul at Miami's Kaseya Center on December 19, a matchup that has drawn sharp criticism and financial intrigue. The eight-round bout, with both fighters wearing 10-ounce gloves, marks a significant weight adjustment for Joshua, who must weigh under 245lbs-lighter than his recent fights where he exceeded 250lbs.
Financial allure outweighs skepticism
Boxing analyst Steve Bunce described the fight as "ridiculous" but acknowledged the financial incentive for Joshua, reportedly set to earn £36.9 million ($50 million). Bunce told BBC Radio 5 Live that Joshua's foundation work and the fight's payday justified his decision, stating, "I would not deny a single man or woman that boxes professionally a pound note, penny, a cent, a dime, the money for any fight."
Bunce noted the precedent set by Jake Paul's 2023 fight against Mike Tyson, which drew an estimated 300 million viewers and generated massive revenue. "That's the reason this fight is happening," he said. "AJ has been made an offer he simply couldn't refuse."
Safety concerns and physical disparities
Critics, including former British middleweight Nick Blackwell, have raised safety concerns. Blackwell, who retired after a brain injury in 2016, told BBC Newsbeat he opposes the fight, fearing Joshua's dominance could lead to serious harm. "I don't want anyone to go through what I've been through," he said, though he acknowledged the global appeal and financial upside for both fighters.
Paul's manager, Nakisa Bidarian, dismissed safety worries, calling the bout "sanctionable" and arguing that Paul's speed and movement could challenge Joshua's size advantage. "AJ is big, strong, but slower. He's more vulnerable to Jake's movement," Bidarian told BBC Sport.
Career implications and legacy
Bunce suggested the fight could be one of Joshua's "final paydays," despite its mismatch. "AJ will be at least six inches taller and perhaps four stone heavier," he said, emphasizing Joshua's Olympic pedigree. "Jake Paul is a terrific novice... but he's a novice."
Bidarian framed the bout as a "career-defining moment" for both fighters, predicting it could become the "biggest combat sports event of 2025." He noted that Paul's 2023 fight against Tyson drew record viewership, surpassing any of Tyson's previous bouts.
Precedent and public fascination
Bunce cited recent crossover fights, like Francis Ngannou's bouts against Tyson Fury and Joshua, as context. While Ngannou-taller and heavier than Paul-was knocked out by Joshua in 2024, Bunce questioned how Paul, smaller and less experienced, would fare: "Lord only knows what will happen to Jake Paul once the first bell sounds."
Despite criticism, Bunce conceded the fight's inevitability, joking that boxing's history includes even stranger matchups, like Chuck Wepner's bout against a bear. "You cannot invent this sport sometimes," he quipped.
"For Jake Paul it's a chance to show how far he has come. For Anthony Joshua it's a chance to end the Jake Paul train... but also a lot of risk for him if he doesn't show up the way people expect."
Nakisa Bidarian, Paul's manager
