Boxing analyst Steve Bunce believes Anthony Joshua accepted an “offer he simply couldn’t refuse” as the former two-time unified heavyweight champion prepares to face YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul on 19 December at Miami’s Kaseya Center.
The bout will be eight three-minute rounds with regulation 10-ounce gloves, and Joshua—who has weighed over 250lbs in his last three fights—must come in under 245lbs.
Bunce described the matchup as “ridiculous” and Paul as a “novice,” but acknowledged the financial incentive for Joshua, who is reportedly set to earn £36.9m ($50m).
“Last November Jake Paul fought Mike Tyson and nearly broke the world,” Bunce told BBC Radio 5 Live. “They had around 300 million people watching. That’s why this fight is happening. AJ has been made an offer he simply couldn’t refuse.”
Bunce added that he would never begrudge a fighter taking a lucrative payday, noting Joshua’s charitable work through his foundation.
The analyst said Joshua remains in discussions for a potential fight with Tyson Fury and suggested the Paul bout will likely be “one of the final paydays” of Joshua’s career—despite the clear mismatch.
“AJ will be at least six inches taller and maybe four stone heavier,” Bunce said. “He’s an Olympic champion. Jake Paul is a terrific novice—but still a novice.”
Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions and Paul’s manager, dismissed safety concerns.
“I don’t think it’s reckless,” he said. “Jake’s in a much better position than many fighters in boxing. AJ is big and strong but slower—and more vulnerable to Jake’s movement.”
However, former British middleweight Nick Blackwell, who retired after suffering a brain injury in 2016, said he opposes the bout, calling it “so dangerous.”
“I don’t want anyone to go through what I’ve been through,” he told BBC Newsbeat, predicting Joshua will “be able to do what he wants.” He acknowledged, though, that the fight’s global appeal makes it inevitable.
“He’s going to earn a lot of money and everyone will want to watch. It’s entertainment on a massive stage—but I don’t agree with it, and the boxing world won’t agree with it.”
