Joshua Takes Blockbuster Bout Against Jake Paul
Anthony Joshua has accepted what boxing commentator Steve Bunce calls “an offer he simply couldn’t refuse,” stepping into the ring against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul on 19 December at the Kaseya Center in Miami. The eight-round contest will be fought with standard 10-ounce gloves, but Joshua must weigh in under 245lbs—lighter than in his previous fights.
While Bunce has openly labelled the matchup “ridiculous,” he also acknowledged the financial pull. Joshua is reportedly set to earn around £36.9m ($50m), a figure that makes the decision easier to understand even for critics.
‘A Novice’ Meets an Olympic Champion
Bunce didn’t mince words in assessing the gap in pedigree: Joshua is taller, significantly heavier, and an Olympic gold medallist. Paul, at 28, has built a 12–1 record but remains what Bunce calls “a terrific novice,” accustomed to fighting at cruiserweight.
Yet the spectacle factor is undeniable. Paul’s previous fights, including the one against Mike Tyson that drew massive global viewership, have proven his ability to pull audiences like few others in the sport.
Safety Concerns and Strong Opinions
Not everyone is convinced the fight should happen. Former middleweight Nick Blackwell—who retired after a life-threatening injury—warned the matchup is “so dangerous,” saying Joshua could “do what he wants.” Still, he acknowledged fans will watch in huge numbers.
Paul’s promoter Nakisa Bidarian dismissed safety concerns, arguing Paul’s movement makes the bout “more sanctionable than many fights” and framing it as a “career-defining moment” for both men.
A Late-Career Gamble for Joshua
At 36, Joshua is deep into the twilight of his career. Bunce believes the spectacle is far from the dignified farewell a purist might prefer. Talks with Tyson Fury are still ongoing, but this fight, he says, will be “one of the final paydays” for Joshua.
Bidarian, however, predicts the event will be the biggest combat sports spectacle of 2025—possibly the most-watched fight of Joshua’s entire career.
The Spectacle Boxing Era
Bunce pointed out that boxing has long seen its share of unusual matchups—from Francis Ngannou’s battles with Fury and Joshua to heavyweight Chuck Wepner’s infamous fight with a bear. Compared to that, he joked, Joshua vs. Paul still “retains a semblance of credibility.”
Whether fans love it, hate it or simply can’t look away, one thing is certain: when the first bell rings in Miami, the world will be watching.
Discussion about this post