Anthony Joshua will face Jake Paul in an eight-round contest in Miami on 19 December after receiving what boxing analyst Steve Bunce described as an offer “he simply couldn’t refuse”.
The former two-time unified heavyweight champion will meet the YouTuber-turned-boxer under specific weight conditions, with Joshua required to come in under 245lbs for the bout, per reports. Paul, 28, continues his move into high-profile professional fights, while Joshua, 36, is reported to be earning about $40 million for the event, making the matchup a significant commercial draw.
“This fight is ridiculous and Jake Paul is a novice, but AJ has been made an offer he simply couldn’t refuse,” said Bunce, according to BBC Radio 5 Live.
Bunce added that the financial incentives were clear, referencing Paul’s previous fight with Mike Tyson. “They had something ridiculous like 300 million people watching on different channels,” he said, noting that the numbers help explain why the Joshua-Paul event was made.
Next steps could involve renewed negotiations for a potential Joshua fight with Tyson Fury, with Bunce stating that discussions between the British heavyweights remain ongoing. Paul’s camp, meanwhile, has dismissed concerns about the matchup, with manager Nakisa Bidarian telling BBC Sport he believes the fight is safe and competitive.
Background concerns have also been raised, with former middleweight Nick Blackwell warning the contest is “so dangerous” due to the size and experience disparity, although he acknowledged the global attention it will generate.
