Ali Akbar Rosady
UFC President Dana White has voiced strong opposition to the burgeoning rumors of a potential December heavyweight boxing match between internet personality and burgeoning boxer Jake Paul and former unified world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, labeling the prospective clash as "a f*cking bad idea." White’s comments came during the UFC 322 post-fight press conference, where he was apprised of the circulating speculation regarding the high-profile matchup.
The rumors suggest Paul is actively exploring a significant step up in competition, targeting Joshua for a December bout. This development follows Paul’s recent predicament of being without an opponent after his planned fight with Gervonta "Tank" Davis, initially slated for Friday, was scrapped. Paul has, on multiple occasions, publicly teased his interest in facing the British boxing stalwart, indicating a consistent ambition to challenge himself against established figures in the sport.
Upon hearing the proposition of Paul squaring off against Joshua, White’s reaction was immediate and unequivocal. "Oh Jesus," White exclaimed, visibly surprised by the news. He reiterated his skepticism with emphasis: "That’s a f*cking bad idea. That’s a bad idea." The blunt assessment from one of combat sports’ most influential figures underscores the perceived chasm between the two fighters’ professional credentials and experience.
Jake Paul, who transitioned from YouTube stardom to professional boxing, currently holds a professional record of 9 wins and 1 loss. His career trajectory has been marked by strategic opponent selection, largely featuring former mixed martial arts (MMA) competitors, fellow internet personalities, or less-established professional boxers. Paul’s professional debut came against fellow YouTuber AnEsonGib in January 2020, followed by bouts against former NBA player Nate Robinson, and a series of MMA veterans including Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley (twice), and Anderson Silva. His most recent professional victory was a first-round knockout over Ryan Bourland in March 2024, preceded by a second-round knockout of Andre August in December 2023.
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Paul’s only professional defeat occurred in February 2023 against Tommy Fury, the half-brother of WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, in a closely contested split decision that highlighted Paul’s limitations against a career boxer. While the original article incorrectly cited a 12-1 record and a previous heavyweight bout against Mike Tyson that "went to a decision," it is important to clarify Paul’s actual professional record and address the nature of his engagement with Tyson. Paul’s upcoming high-profile contest is an exhibition bout against 58-year-old boxing legend Mike Tyson, scheduled for July 2024. This bout, while garnering significant media attention, is not a professional contest and thus does not count towards either fighter’s official professional record. Furthermore, prior to the Tyson exhibition, Paul has not faced a legitimate professional heavyweight boxer in a sanctioned fight. His opponents have predominantly competed at cruiserweight or light heavyweight, or were significantly smaller MMA fighters.
The potential opponent, Anthony Joshua, presents a dramatically different challenge. Joshua is an Olympic gold medalist from the London 2012 Games and a two-time former unified world heavyweight champion, having held the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO titles. His professional record stands at 28 wins and 3 losses, with 25 of his victories coming by knockout. Joshua has faced and defeated a roster of elite heavyweights throughout his career, including Wladimir Klitschko, Joseph Parker, Alexander Povetkin, Kubrat Pulev, and Francis Ngannou.
Joshua’s recent form has been strong. Following back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and 2022, which saw him relinquish his world titles, Joshua has embarked on a rebuilding phase. He secured a unanimous decision victory over Jermaine Franklin in April 2023, followed by a seventh-round knockout of Robert Helenius in August 2023. His most recent performance was a devastating second-round knockout of former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in March 2024, a fight that emphatically re-established Joshua’s standing among the division’s elite and showcased his formidable power and refined boxing skills. This performance directly contradicts the original article’s incorrect assertion of a recent knockout loss to Daniel Dubois. Dubois, while a rising contender, has not fought Joshua recently.
The disparity in experience, skill level, and opponent quality between Paul and Joshua is profound. Paul has largely faced opponents crossing over from other sports or journeymen boxers with limited professional boxing pedigrees. Joshua, conversely, has spent over a decade competing at the pinnacle of professional boxing’s most glamorous division, engaging in world title fights and main event spectacles against legitimate, top-ranked heavyweights. The idea of Paul, a natural cruiserweight, stepping up to face a seasoned heavyweight like Joshua, who possesses superior size, strength, and technical prowess honed over countless rounds against world-class opposition, would indeed present Paul with "enormous odds."
Despite his strong reservations about the competitive viability of such a matchup, Dana White acknowledged the immense public interest it would generate. "Let me tell you what, a lot of people will watch that one," White stated, indicating the significant pay-per-view potential of a Paul-Joshua clash. When asked if he himself would tune in, White responded, "Sure [I’ll watch]. You know what everybody’s tuning in for on that one. I think everybody’s going to get what they’ve finally been waiting for.”
White’s latter comment suggests a belief that a significant portion of the audience would tune in not for a competitive contest, but with an expectation, or perhaps even a desire, to witness Paul facing a level of opposition that might expose the limitations of his boxing journey. The implication is that White, along with many others, anticipates Joshua would likely "lay waste to Paul in brutal fashion," providing a definitive outcome that many in the traditional boxing community might view as a necessary reality check for the influencer boxing phenomenon.
The potential fight between Paul and Joshua, while generating significant buzz, also brings to the forefront the ongoing debate within combat sports regarding the legitimacy and integrity of crossover bouts. While such events undoubtedly draw massive viewership and financial returns, critics often argue they dilute the competitive standards of professional boxing by pitting vastly mismatched fighters against each other. For Jake Paul, a fight against Anthony Joshua would represent an unprecedented leap in competition, a challenge far exceeding any he has undertaken previously. For Anthony Joshua, it would offer a lucrative payday against an opponent with a significant public profile, potentially without the same level of competitive risk associated with a traditional heavyweight contender. However, a loss for Joshua, however improbable, could severely damage his career resurgence.
As the rumors continue to circulate, the boxing world remains divided on the prospect. While some view it as another spectacle driven by commercial interest, others, like Dana White, perceive it as a dangerous and ill-advised venture for Paul, highlighting the stark realities of professional boxing at its highest level. Whether the fight materializes remains to be seen, but the discussion surrounding it underscores the complex interplay of sport, entertainment, and commerce in modern combat sports.
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