Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul is now official, but many experts believe this could be a very bad thing for ‘The Problem Child’. And we can include British heavyweight sensation Moses Itauma on that list.
The 20-year-old sensation (13-0 with 11 wins inside the first two rounds) announced his own next fight this week – he will face durable American Jermaine Franklin (24-2) in Manchester on January 24.
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While he was making that announcement, the news came through that Joshua and Jake had sealed their own deal for a December 19 blockbuster in Miami, streamed live globally on Netflix.
Itauma was clearly surprised by the news, and he gave his immediate reaction to BBC Sport.
Itauma – Jake needs to ‘fire his advisors’
“Jake Paul needs to fire his advisors, his people who tell him to make these fights, because that’s not good,” he explained.
The last time Joshua fought in a ‘crossover’ match, he absolutely destroyed former UFC king Francis Ngannou inside two rounds in early 2024. It was a brutal demolition job, and Ngannou appeared to have far more going for him than Jake does.
Itauma continued: “Did Jake Paul not watch the Ngannou fight? Obviously there’s making money but then at the same time now you’re just, it’s absurd.”
Itauma was keen to point out that he believes Paul is a good thing for the sport – in particular the way he has increased the profile of women’s boxing. But he says the 28-year-old from Ohio needs to balance financial gain here (reportedly well in excess of £50million for each man) against future health.
‘He needs to weigh the outcomes’
“I don’t think Jake Paul’s bad for boxing, I think he’s good. And I like Jake Paul. You see what he’s doing with women’s boxing as well, I like Jake Paul. And I’m not saying he shouldn’t take the fight.
“I just feel like he needs to weigh the outcomes. Like I don’t know, £50million and then my health. Cars and watches, can’t say my name. Is it worth it?
“If he wants to go and fight Anthony Joshua, that’s not my life, go and do it. But me personally, if I was Jake Paul’s brother, I’d be very worried.”
