Pretty much everybody inside boxing and out has had a say on that eagerly-awaited Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul superfight, scheduled for Miami next month.
There was an air of disbelief around the world on Monday, even after the official confirmation that 12-1 Youtuber turned fighter Jake will go in against two-time world heavyweight champion Joshua. In an actual sanctioned boxing match.
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The blockbuster, to be streamed live globally by Netflix, will absolutely draw a huge TV audience. Remember Jake pulling in an astonishing 108m viewers for his win over a 58-year-old Mike Tyson in Texas a year ago.
Many hardcore boxing fans and experts believe AJ (28-4) – still an elite heavyweight fighter at the age of 36 – is tarnishing his legacy by taking on what many believe to be a freak show or a circus. Others say he is getting the biggest possible payday (a rumoured purse of north of £50m) for the lowest possible risk.
Ariel Helwani on Joshua vs Paul
Broadcaster and fight sports commentator Ariel Helwani gave his verdict on the topic this week, and he says we should not forget the careers of boxing greats of the past. They too did things which at the time appeared to tarnish their legacies.
He wrote: “Look, Jake Paul x Anthony Joshua may not be your cup of tea – I get it – but to suggest that AJ’s legacy is being ruined by just taking this fight is absolute nonsense. In 1976, the heavyweight champion of the world and the most famous boxer on the planet, Muhammad Ali, went to Japan to fight in a mixed-rules bout against a pro wrestling legend named Antonio Inoki. Did that ruin his legacy?
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“In 1975, a year prior, a man by the name of George Foreman, coming off a loss to Muhammad Ali, fought five jobbers in a ring at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto on the same night. Numerous boxing greats have taken paydays – the bags, freak-show fights, circus fights, whatever you want to call it. Prize fighters are prize fighters, and prize fighters will do prize-fighter-like things.”
Jake safety is a definite concern
While Helwani does not believe Joshua is risking anything by fighting Paul, he does think there is one valid concern about this controversial 8-round contest. And that comes down to safety, with a career cruiserweight who only fought celebs and washed-up stars going in against a brutal knockout artist. Remember what AJ did to Francis Ngannou back in 2024.
Helwani explained: “I think the fair debate or discussion to have around Jake Paul x Anthony Joshua is about safety. It is not hyperbole to say people die in boxing. Does this fight put Jake Paul at an excessive risk of serious damage?
“I will never forget that Francis fight. Francis Ngannou had never been rocked, knocked down, or knocked out. He was out cold and not moving for what seemed like an eternity. That’s scary stuff.”
