In June 2025, Jake Paul defeated former middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. via unanimous decision, sparking fresh speculation about a crossover bout with former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.
What initially appeared to be a publicity stunt gained credibility after the involvement of Saudi sports official Turki Alalshikh. Talks between both camps, led by Eddie Hearn and Nakisa Bidarian, have since progressed significantly.
Promoter Eddie Hearn recently confirmed that discussions are “very real” and estimated the fight has a 50-50 chance of happening. With Tyson Fury now retired, the path appears open for Joshua to take a blockbuster bout before reentering title contention. Yet, serious concerns are being raised about the mismatch in experience and size.
Journalist Gareth A. Davies strongly criticized the idea. “Jake Paul is an area-level cruiserweight stepping in with a heavyweight puncher,” he said, citing Joshua’s solid performance in his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.
Davies added that just imagining the two in the same ring feels unsafe, even referencing Joshua’s power and size as a potentially dangerous factor for Paul.
Safety concerns clash with entertainment value
While Joshua is coming off a tough loss to Daniel Dubois in 2024, his elite pedigree and knockout power remain a concern when facing someone like Paul, who has limited professional experience.
Hearn himself called the matchup “a catastrophic mismatch,” admitting that while the fight is lopsided, its commercial value is undeniable. He suggested that fans would watch “because it would lead to the end of Jake Paul-hopefully not literally.”
Many in the boxing community share those concerns. Former world champion Tony Bellew called the proposed bout “dangerously insane,” given the significant weight and skill gap. Critics argue that such a contest should not be sanctioned due to the risk of serious injury.
However, there is no denying the global appeal. Jake Paul’s willingness to accept a rumored 99-1 purse split in Joshua’s favor underscores how far he’s willing to go for the opportunity. His camp, including manager Bidarian, argues Paul’s natural weight and prior training at heavyweight make the bout at least physically viable, if not competitively balanced.
Joshua remains open to the fight, especially with Saudi backing and Alalshikh’s growing influence in global boxing. Whether this bout moves forward will likely depend on a balance between commercial ambition and fighter safety. For now, fans and critics alike are watching closely to see whether spectacle will outweigh sport.
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