Anthony Joshua fans fume as boxing star agrees huge £142m fight with Jake Paul
Anthony Joshua has agreed to fight Jake Paul in a huge boxing showdown next month but not everybody is on board with the former heavyweight champion’s decision to take on the YouTuber
Anthony Joshua will return to the ring in a fight worth an eye-watering £142 million – and one of the most divisive bouts the sport has ever seen.
The former heavyweight champion will face YouTube star Jake Paul in Miami on December 19 on Netflix, with the enormous purse to be split evenly. But the announcement of the fight has ignited immediate backlash, with furious fans accusing the Olympic gold medalist of “cashing out” and turning boxing into a spectacle. The pair will meet at the Kaseya Centre in an eight-round contest.
It replaces Paul’s cancelled exhibition with Gervonta Davis, scrapped after a lawsuit was filed against Davis by his ex-girlfriend. The former Disney star, 28, confirmed the fight with trademark swagger. “This isn’t an AI simulation. This is Judgment Day,” he said. “When I beat Anthony Joshua, every doubt disappears.”
His comments only fuelled anger across the boxing community. Rumours swirled for weeks, repeatedly denied, until confirmation arrived today.
Joshua, 36, returns for the first time since being knocked out by Daniel Dubois in September 2024. Sensing the fight would be viewed as controversial, the Brit defended his decision. “I took some time out and I’m coming back with a mega show,” he said. “Whether you like it or not, I’m here to do massive numbers.” He added: “I’m about to break the internet over Jake Paul’s face.”
The decision to fight Paul has split the sport. Supporters argue that the bout reflects boxing’s new financial landscape, where streaming platforms and celebrity influence dictate matchmaking. Critics insist it cheapens the sport and rewards fame over skill, with many calling the £142 million purse “an insult to real fighters”.
Boxing fans on social media were quick to criticise Joshua. X user Cody Banks wrote: “Anthony Joshua is officially washed, fighting someone from Disney, he’s cashing out.” Phil Jones added: “It’s a sad but lucrative end to what should have been a much better career,” while another X user posted: “Anthony Joshua is genuinely disgraceful.”
One boxing fan said, “Anthony Joshua (former Olympic champion and world-renowned boxer) is now fighting a kid off the Disney Channel. Why has boxing turned into WWE?”. Darren Fursdon added: “Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul, how the mighty have fallen and proves Boxing is an absolute farce of a sport.”
Others, however, were more understanding. Kristian Sturt wrote: “I don’t even blame Anthony Joshua, guy is collecting generational wealth for a significantly glorified spar.” Another said: “Anthony Joshua might have just secured the biggest heist in human history.”
Nakisa Bidarian, CEO of Most Valuable Promotions, which promotes Paul, said the idea began months ago. “Jake thought of this in March,” he said. “People laughed. Plans changed and Jake stood up and said, ‘I want to face Joshua now’.” With Netflix streaming the bout to a global audience, it is guaranteed to be a financial blockbuster.
Paul’s entry into elite boxing remains bitterly disputed. He built his career on YouTube, where nearly 21 million subscribe to his channel. He later moved into the ring, mainly at cruiserweight. He fought at 227.5lbs for his 2024 exhibition against an ageing Mike Tyson – an event watched by 108 million people.
He then beat former world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr to secure a number 14 WBA cruiserweight ranking. His professional record is 12-1 with seven knockouts, and he has boxed only 70 rounds since turning pro in 2020.
Joshua’s résumé is far more extensive. He has boxed more than 160 rounds over a 12-year career, holds a 28-4 record with 25 knockouts, and previously unified the heavyweight division. He has headlined stadiums and global pay-per-view events.
