De Brit Anthony Joshua heeft de Amerikaan Jake Paul knock-out geslagen in de zesde ronde van hun bokswedstrijd in het Kaseya Center in Miami. Het gevecht, dat wereldwijd werd uitgezonden door Netflix, stond gepland over acht ronden.

Anthony Joshua tells ABC Sport Daily that he has found clarity ahead of fighting Jake Paul in the latest Netflix spectacular, or as close to it as the madness of 21st century boxing will allow.

British heavyweight Dave Allen has delivered the blunt verdict many in boxing have been thinking but few have dared to say out loud: Jake Paul has no business sharing a ring with Anthony Joshua. Speaking on talkSPORT’s Jordan & White show, Allen tore into the idea of a possible December clash—a fight promoter Eddie Hearn insists would be a professional bout, not an exhibition. As Joshua weighs his options for a year-end outing and Paul aggressively pursues a heavyweight payday, Allen stepped in to deliver the stark reality check the sport demands. “Horrific. Dangerous. Ridiculous.” | Allen Slams the Matchup Allen made his feelings clear from the moment Paul’s name was mentioned, referencing his solitary defeat to Tommy Fury in 2023: “Jake Paul lost to Tommy Fury. Anthony Joshua cannot box Jake Paul — horrific.” He continued with one of the most cutting assessments yet delivered by a professional heavyweight: “It is dangerous for one, and two, if Jake Paul even lands a glove on him, it just diminishes everything Joshua has achieved.” On how long Paul would last in the ring with a true heavyweight: “Jake Paul won’t last two minutes with me, never mind Anthony Joshua. It is ridiculous. It is a joke.” The warning is unmistakable: a two-time world champion against a YouTuber-turned-fighter is not only a mismatch—it’s a potential safety issue. Legacy Risk: Why Joshua Would Be Diminished When asked whether Joshua stepping into the ring with Paul would harm his reputation, Allen didn’t hesitate: “I would lose a bit of respect for him, and I think a lot of boxing people would as well.” He spelled out why the idea makes no sense from a boxing perspective: “Why would he box him? Two-time Olympic champion of the world, one of the best heavyweights of the last twenty years. Held British boxing on his back. Why would he do it?” For Allen, the fight offers Joshua nothing but risk—and gives Paul everything he hasn’t earned. “If Jake Paul even lands a glove on him, it diminishes everything that he’s achieved”. British heavyweight, Dave Allen, says Anthony Joshua would ‘lose respect from many people in boxing’ if he agrees to fight the American Youtuber. 🥊#anthonyjoshua #jakepaul #netflix #boxing pic.twitter.com/L5v7bJiS2P — talkSPORT Boxing (@boxing_ts) November 13, 2025 Ngannou? Serious. Paul? Not Even Close Allen quickly drew a distinction when asked about Joshua’s 2024 clash with former MMA champion Francis Ngannou: “Ngannou is a serious fighting man, a world champion in mixed martial arts.” Jake Paul, in Allen’s view, is not in that category—not even remotely. Paul has attempted to build credibility, securing wins over figures like 58-year-old Mike Tyson and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., but Allen implies these do not legitimize Paul against a true, elite heavyweight like Joshua. “AJ Will Hurt Him” — Danger for Paul Allen insists the physical gap between Paul and Joshua isn’t just wide—it’s irresponsible to ignore: “It’s worrying, the damage AJ could do to Jake Paul. He will hurt him.” To underline how absurd he believes the proposal is, Allen offered a comparison: “Jake Paul is a cruiserweight. You wouldn’t put the Midland Area cruiserweight champion in with Anthony Joshua, so why would you put Jake Paul in there?” His rhetorical jab at Paul’s celebrity status pulled no punches: “Just because he’s a superstar at whatever he does. I don’t know what he does — what does he do? It’s just not worth it. AJ has enough money as it is — why risk all that for a few more quid?” The Final Verdict: Why AJ Should Steer Clear Despite the hype surrounding a possible December showdown, Allen believes Joshua will ultimately steer clear of the circus: “I don’t like it. I don’t think it will happen. I don’t think Anthony Joshua will do it.” The debate is settled for Allen: Joshua vs. Jake Paul isn’t a fight—it’s a catastrophic heavyweight gamble that offers minimum reward for maximum risk. If Joshua signs the papers, he risks tarnishing a legacy built on Olympic gold and unified titles for a quick payday that the sport’s insiders already deem a joke. The world will soon see if the money speaks louder than the boxing fraternity’s integrity. About the Author Phil Jay is a veteran boxing journalist with over 15 years of experience covering the global fight scene. As Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN) since 2010, Jay has interviewed dozens of world champions and reported ringside on boxing’s biggest nights. View all articles by Phil Jay and learn more about his work in combat sports journalism.