Anthony Joshua is under fire for negotiating a fight with Jake Paul.
Ex-heavyweight champion Joshua and YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul are reportedly ‘finalising terms’ for a fight in Miami this December.
The news was quickly met with criticism from both fans and the boxing fraternity.
One man who has made his stance on the rumoured match-up clear is talkSPORT boxing expert Gareth A Davies.
He told talkBOXING: “This should not be commissioned. Jake Paul is the level of an area champion, he might not even win an area title in the UK.
“Anthony Joshua is a very dangerous heavyweight.
“They’re going to Florida, because it will be in Miami, and they’re a very lenient commission.
“This fight should not be licensed. It’s dangerous for Jake Paul.”
He added: “I don’t want to see a man decapitated in Miami in December.
“This affects Joshua’s legacy. He can’t have this legacy and fight Tyson Fury next. I’m really shocked.”
Ex-professional boxer added Spencer Oliver: “The fans won’t like this, but Joshua will see it as an easy money grab.
“At this stage in his career, should he be taking this fight? No.”
Would Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul be a dangerous fight?
Paul has the advantage of recent activity, as Joshua has been out of action since Daniel Dubois knocked him out in 2024.
But before his 14 months on the sideline, Joshua claimed wins over the likes of Wladimir Klitschko and Joseph Parker.
While Paul has had 13 professional fights, he has only shared the ring with opponents who are older, smaller or less powerful than 6ft 6ins powerhouse Joshua.
Should this go ahead, Joshua would certainly be the toughest challenge yet for the YouTuber-turned-boxer – and his biggest risk of being knocked-out or seriously injured.
What has Anthony Joshua’s team had to say about the match-up?
Matchroom’s Frank Smith, who helps promote Joshua, was asked on talkSPORT Breakfast whether he agrees that it would be a dangerous fight for Paul.
Smith said: “You have to give Jake Paul credit for what he’s doing and what he’s done in the sport.
“He has taken it seriously.
“So if the fight does happen, fair play to Jake Paul. But I’m sure they are looking at a number of options that may be a bit easier for Jake.”
Despite his clear disadvantage, Paul seems confident that he could knock Joshua out and is welcoming the challenge to prove himself.
Meanwhile, Joshua is facing scrutiny for even entertaining the idea of risking his reputation to fight the American.
What else has been said?
Should they actually end up sharing the ring, talkSPORT’s Simon Jordan thinks that Joshua’s legacy is already ‘sealed’.
He said: “Anthony Joshua is an entertainer and you can’t undo the fact that he won the world heavyweight championship twice.
“He fought in some great fights.
“He is in the business of entertainment, if an opportunity is presented to him and someone wants to say ‘we can monetise this’ to the huge levels that are potentially available, why wouldn’t you?
“It’s a walk in the park.”
Jordan continued to question both the legitimacy and the safety of the potential fight.
He added: “Is it right, or appropriate, that a high-performing supreme athlete like Anthony Joshua, who’s only real challenges now are probably in his mind, because physically he could operate at the highest level if he still chose to, should be stepping in against someone like Jake Paul?
“That does not have the skillset to deal with the kind of power and expertise that Anthony Joshua has, and should boxing be sanctioning this?”
Phoning up to have their say, one boxing fan simply told talkSPORT: “If this fight goes ahead, it’s going to be the biggest mockery in boxing.”
