The reaction to the announcement of that Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul megafight has been incredible – and by no means all of it positive.
On Friday December 19 in Miami (streamed live around the world on Netflix), the 28-year-old ‘Problem Child’ will go in with a two-time world heavyweight champion who has a stacked 28-4 record and is still an elite operator.
Paul meanwhile has a very mixed 12-1 resume which features celebrities, washed-up MMA stars and washed-up boxers (Mike Tyson was 58 years old when they met in 2024).
READ MORE: Joshua vs Jake Paul rules confirmed, including rehydration
Friday’s opening press conference, also in Miami, showed that the gulf between the two men is not just class and experience either, it is sheer physical size. AJ is a true heavyweight who walks around at 265lbs, Jake is a blown-up cruiserweight (200lbs).
The oddsmakers will tell you that Jake is a 7/1 underdog for the big fight – absolutely ridiculous in our view. Add a zero and maybe we are getting close. In reality the two men have no business being in a professional ring together.
But here we are, and both will reportedly earn north of £50million each for one night’s work. Remember that Jake vs Tyson persuaded 108million to tune in on Netflix. This has similar curiosity value.
For AJ it is the biggest possible reward (a career-high payday) for the least possible risk. For Paul though, things are very different.
While Jake, an entertainer who let’s be fair – has dedicated himself to the sport of boxing – will make a ton more money he is also for the first time putting himself in the way of significant risk.
Some experts are openly saying that the best case scenario here is if AJ clips Jake early and the fight is over, that way ‘The Problem Child’ does not take a significant beating. This is a professional fight – not an exhibition – and both men will wear 10oz gloves.
Andy Clarke on Joshua vs Jake
Respected boxing exec Lou DiBella believes the fight is ‘an unsafe abomination’, while former ESPN writer Dan Rafael says it is a mismatch on a similar level to Mike Tyson vs Peter McNeeley back in 1995.
The latest expert to speak up about their fears is respected Sky Sports analyst Andy Clarke, who responded after hearing Paul say the following at Friday’s press conference:
“This is more challenging [than previous fights] but my team know what I’m capable of. This will be fun. I want him to cut me up and hurt me.”
Clarke responded to a social media post referencing that quote as he reasoned: “This is painful. He has no idea what he’s let himself in for. And as for his team, well they clearly don’t know a thing, or they wouldn’t let him do this.”
This is not just somebody bemoaning a mismatch either, Clarke has real fears about Paul’s health. He explained: “I just hope he manages to leave that ring without suffering life altering damage.”
Jake Paul record
Paul’s record tells you all you need to know about the gulf in class between the two men. While AJ has been fighting elite heavyweights for the past decade, Jake has been rumbling with this strange mix:
| Opponent | Date | Venue | Result |
| Anthony Joshua | 19/12/2025 | Miami | – |
| Julio Cesar Chavez Jr | 28-06-2025 | Anaheim | W UD (97-93, 98-92, 99-91) |
| Mike Tyson | 15-11-2024 | Arlington | W UD (79-73, 80-72, 79-83) |
| Michael Perry | 20-07-2024 | Tampa | W TKO6 |
| Ryan Bourland | 02-03-2024 | San Juan | W KO1 |
| Andre August | 15-12-2023 | Orlando | W KO1 |
| Nate Diaz | 05-08-2023 | Dallas | W UD (97-92, 98-91, 98-91) |
| Tommy Fury | 26-02-2023 | Diriyah | L SD (73-76, 75-74, 73-76) |
| Anderson Silva | 29-10-2022 | Glendale | W UD (77-74, 78-73, 78-73) |
| Tyron Woodley | 18-12-2021 | Tampa | W KO6 |
| Tyron Woodley | 29-08-2021 | Cleveland | W SD (78-74, 77-75, 75-77) |
| Ben Askren | 17-04-2021 | Atlanta | W KO1 |
| Nate Robinson | 28-11-2020 | Los Angeles | W KO2 |
| Ali Eson Gib | 30-01-2020 | Miami | W TKO1 |
