Anthony Joshua Faces Backlash Over Proposed Jake Paul Fight

Published: 13 November 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

Anthony Joshua’s camp is reportedly finalising plans for the former two-time heavyweight champion to face YouTube star Jake Paul in Miami this December, a move that has sparked widespread shock and debate in the boxing world.

Joshua, who has not fought since his fifth-round stoppage loss to fellow Brit Daniel Dubois in September 2024, had been eyeing another world title run. Yet the prospect of a bout against a social media influencer is being seen by many as a gamble that could tarnish his legacy. Critics argue that even if sanctioned as an exhibition rather than a professional fight, the match undermines the credibility of a heavyweight who has long been a symbol of British boxing excellence.

While the bout would be a financial windfall for Joshua — estimated at $50 million given Paul’s 50 million social media followers — it is widely regarded as a mismatch. Joshua, standing 6ft 7in and weighing 18st, is vastly more experienced and physically dominant than Paul, whose previous high-profile fight against former heavyweight Mike Tyson in his late 50s was a very different scenario.

The controversy is heightened by Joshua’s expected showdown with Tyson Fury next summer, a potential all-British heavyweight clash projected to generate a staggering £150 million. Observers argue that taking on Paul as a warm-up fight could diminish the gravitas of Joshua’s future championship aspirations and raise questions about his current ambition in the sport.

Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, has at times downplayed the likelihood of the fight happening, but has also suggested that if Paul is willing, Joshua would see it as a lucrative, low-risk payday. The matchup became a consideration after Paul’s scheduled bout with Gervonta Davis was cancelled due to Davis’s legal issues.

Fans and pundits alike are left hoping the bout remains a publicity stunt, as its implications for Joshua’s reputation and the broader heavyweight division continue to be hotly debated. A successful broadcast could attract massive audiences, potentially exceeding 100 million viewers on streaming platforms like Netflix, but the question remains whether the spectacle would enhance or erode Joshua’s standing in the sport.