Sad to say, but all the fight fans who believe Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul makes no sense, sorry but you’re wrong. It makes total sense.
The news that Joshua (28-4) is in talks for a December showdown against ‘The Problem Child’ on Netflix is another reason to make boxing purists wail with sadness. But where AJ is right now, it is absolutely his best option.
The two-time world heavyweight champion turned 36 years of age on October 15, and he is unquestionably on the downside of a career which will likely one day earn him a place in the Hall of Fame.
Joshua has not fought since September 2024 when he was blasted out of Wembley Stadium inside five one-sided rounds by Daniel Dubois in his challenge for the IBF heavyweight title. Instead of becoming a three-time heavyweight champion, Joshua appeared to be cooked at the very highest level.
Since then Joshua has undergone elbow surgery, and only now is getting ready to return to the ring. But instead of a stepping stone to another potential title shot, the Watford man is set to get into the ring with a YouTuber.
But for those who scoff, why wouldn’t Joshua take this fight? It makes so much sense on so many levels (much as it pains me to say it). And these are the main reasons:
The money
The headline to this article says it’s the best retirement plan money can buy, and boy did we mean it. Paul is a huge draw, remember his showdown with the 58-year-old Mike Tyson pulling in 108m viewers on Netflix.
This fight, should it be signed, will likely pull in at least half that number – it will be the subject of enough morbid curiosity on both sides of the Atlantic (and elsewhere around the world) to make it a massive deal. AJ remains probably the biggest draw in the heavyweight division – even now.
Yes, Joshua could take a tune-up fight against a top-15 heavyweight, but he’s not earning anything like the coin he’ll receive for taking on Jake.
Expect north of $50m for what would be a huge, huge global event. Not bad for a man who would effectively be stepping in for a lightweight in Gervonta Davis.
The fight
Not only does this fight carry the biggest financial reward for Joshua right now – it also carries the least risk. Paul is a YouTuber turned cruiserweight who operates at just 200lbs, has only had 13 pro fights and who lost to Tommy Fury. That’s Tommy, the Love Island guy, not Tyson.
Joshua, even though he might be a shadow of the man who reached the top of the heavyweight mountain twice, is still a massive puncher and will take at least 30-40lbs in terms of size advantage into this one. He’s a dangerous man, and Paul is likely to pay the price.
AJ could go in with any top 15 heavyweight and he’d be in significantly more danger than he will be if the showdown with Paul does happen in Florida next month. Any of them. Remember how Dubois destroyed him, dumping him on the Wembley canvas in four of their five rounds last year.
This is a dream assignment for AJ. As a boxing purist himself he just has to forget that this one is a freak show, do his job and not fumble the bag. It’s an astonishing opportunity, why wouldn’t he take it with both hands?
The future
Oh, and another thing. Joshua was planning to fight right about now, or very early in 2026. This was always part of the plan, so why not Jake Paul?
AJ will start a heavy favourite, he’s likely to win easily, collect a huge payday and STILL not jeopardise anything in the future.
Any dreams of that long-awaited showdown with Tyson Fury or a trilogy match with Oleksandr Usyk are unlikely to die in Miami in December. Instead they will live on in to 2026 if AJ still entertains those dreams.
The verdict
Make no mistake, this will be a massive event, whether you like it or not. Most of the people who say they will not watch it, will. And then there’s an enormous crossover casual crowd which will roll up in their millions to buy a Netflix subscription just before Christmas.
You see in this scenario nobody loses, definitely not from a financial perspective. Now physically, that’s another matter. Jake has no business being in the ring with a two-time heavyweight champion. This is not Mike Tyson pushing 60. AJ, even on the downside, is a very dangerous man.
In all likelihood it will happen, and AJ will likely win in the ring and out. People will forget about it afterwards, soon enough. And if he wants, another shot at heavyweight title glory will still be there for him. He is still the biggest dog in the division when it comes to selling tickets.
As things stand, for a man heading towards retirement, it’s a gold-plated pension plan.
