Get ready, boxing fans, because Jake Paul is finally stepping into the ring against someone who could actually beat him! It's a fight that many have been waiting for, and it's happening tonight.
This time, Paul is facing Anthony Joshua in Miami. On paper, it's a mismatch, much like Paul's previous bouts. Their pre-fight face-offs only add to the absurdity, but this time, Paul might be in over his head.
Joshua, a former heavyweight champion, stands at an impressive 6-foot-6 and weighed in at just over 243 pounds. He's a seasoned boxer who shocked the world by knocking out Wladimir Klitschko in 2017. Although he's 36 and likely past his prime, he's a legitimate boxer. In his last fight, in September 2024, he fought Daniel Dubois for a heavyweight title in front of a packed crowd. Earlier last year, Joshua delivered a brutal knockout to former MMA champ Francis Ngannou. Based on the weigh-in, Joshua seems to be in excellent shape and remains a popular athlete in Europe.
For Joshua, the main benefit is the payday. If he doesn't quickly defeat Paul, he risks ridicule from his peers.
Paul's potential gains are less clear, other than keeping his name in the headlines. His goal seems to be maintaining the spotlight, which he and his brother first entered on Vine in the fall of 2013, a month before Joshua's professional debut. Paul is the most talked-about boxer of this era; his match against Mike Tyson drew 100 million viewers, though the actual number might have been lower.
Paul weighed in at under 217 pounds and appeared less than fit. If he somehow wins, it won't be seen as legitimate. The general expectation is that Joshua will dominate. Paul's best-case scenario might be leaving the ring under his own power with some respect from boxing fans.
But here's where it gets controversial... The fight is sanctioned, and betting is open. Fixing a sporting event for gambling is illegal. However, if the outcome is pre-arranged for business purposes, the legal situation is less clear. In the Tyson fight, Paul seemed to avoid serious punches, possibly to extend the fight. Was this pre-planned or an act of mercy? Either way, there were no legal consequences.
Eddie Hearn, Joshua's promoter, insists there's no fix.
Hearn stated, “The bell’s going to go, A.J.’s going to go out and take the middle of the ring, and he’s going to unload the heaviest artillery on Jake Paul’s chin he can, as quickly as possible, and he’s going to knock him stark out.”
I'll be watching!
What are your thoughts on this fight? Do you think it's a legitimate sporting event, or a carefully crafted spectacle? Share your opinions in the comments below!
