Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua is the smartest of all boxing’s big, dumb bouts

5 hours ago7 min read

Let's be real for a second—boxing's matchmaking has officially entered the multiverse, and the potential Jake Paul versus Anthony Joshua showdown is the crossover episode we never knew we needed, yet somehow makes perfect sense in the sport's current chaotic landscape. Just picture it: YouTuber-turned-pugilist Jake Paul, who was originally set to scrap with the perpetually troubled Gervonta 'Tank' Davis before domestic violence allegations gave his promoters a clean exit, now pivoting to face one of Britain's most decorated heavyweight champions.It’s the kind of plot twist that feels ripped from a streaming drama, and honestly, it’s the smartest move in a genre full of questionable decisions. Anthony Joshua, the Olympic gold medalist who has carried the flag for British boxing with a resume boasting wins over legends like Wladimir Klitschko and a brutal demolition of Francis Ngannou, represents everything 'Tank' is not—scandal-free, professionally relentless, and a walking billboard for blue-chip sponsors from Hugo Boss to Jaguar.Where Davis looked bored and disengaged at their lone press conference, barely muttering a word, Joshua would weaponize media obligations, likely promising to rid the sport of its circus-fighting ringmaster. Physically, it’s a completely different ballgame; Paul wouldn’t enjoy the massive height and reach advantages he’d have had against the 5-foot-5 Davis.'AJ' stands 6-foot-6, weighs around 250 pounds, and carries an 82-inch wingspan, making this a legitimate heavyweight challenge rather than a sideshow. Promoter Eddie Hearn’s comments add fuel to the fire—he told Uncrowned’s Ariel Helwani that while nothing is close, his estimation of Paul would 'go through the roof' if he signed the contract, joking that Paul would need to 'carry his balls in a wheelbarrow to the ring-walk.' For Joshua, this isn’t just another payday; it’s a shot at redemption on American soil. His only prior U.S. fight, against Andy Ruiz Jr.in 2019, ended in a humiliating seventh-round stoppage that left his stateside record at 0-1. A dominant win over Paul on Netflix’s massive platform could rewrite that narrative, potentially reopening the American market for a twilight career push against names like Deontay Wilder, especially if a Tyson Fury bout remains elusive.For Paul, it’s all about credibility—surviving longer than Ngannou’s two-round fate would instantly legitimize him in combat sports circles. So, while purists might scoff, this bout threads multiple narratives: commercial upside, global spotlight, and personal stakes for both fighters, making it the smartest dumb fight boxing can book right now.

#featured

#Jake Paul

#Anthony Joshua

#boxing

#Netflix

#heavyweight

#exhibition fight

#Eddie Hearn

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