If you’ve been following CMBoxing at all this year, you’ll know I’ve talked about this story more than enough already — but here we go again. Because somehow, unbelievably, the rumours have turned into reality.
Multiple major outlets, including Sky Sports Boxing and BBC Sport, are reporting that Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul has been agreed for December in Miami, with Netflix picking up global broadcasting rights. A fully sanctioned professional fight. Under heavyweight Queensberry rules. Not an exhibition. Not a novelty event.
A real fight.
Even typing that out feels ridiculous.
But let’s break down why this fight is happening, why it makes so little sense, and why it proves — once again — that boxing has become a money-making circus rather than a sport.
Eddie Hearn’s Logic: “Why take an undercard slot when you can make fifty million?”
I watched Eddie Hearn’s interview earlier this week
He openly admitted that Joshua needs a run-out this year — something to get him active, sharp, and back under the lights.
So far, so reasonable.
But then Eddie said this:
“Why would AJ go on an undercard when he can make fifty million doing this fight?”
And here’s where I strongly disagree.
At this stage of Joshua’s career, it shouldn’t be about the money.
AJ is financially set for life.
He should never need to work again unless he chooses to.
This part of his career — if he really is chasing one more world title run in 2026 — should be about legacy. Not circus acts.
And here’s the real kicker…
AJ wouldn’t need to be on any undercard if the fight took place in the UK.
He could headline against:
- a top-10 contender,
- a top-15 ranked heavyweight,
- or even Dillian Whyte in what would still sell tickets, draw a crowd, and actually prepare him for a meaningful fight.
AJ headlining in the UK has never been a problem.
He fills arenas in his sleep.
So this idea that Jake Paul is the only “big money” option simply doesn’t hold up.
For more on AJ’s long-term decisions, see my piece on legacy vs longevity
Why This Fight Makes Zero Competitive Sense
Financially?
Fine. I get it.
From a sporting perspective?
It’s nonsense.
As I’ve written before, Joshua needs rounds if he’s serious about getting another world title shot next year. And that means a proper opponent — someone who can actually challenge him.
But instead, he’s getting Jake Paul.
Joshua should be fighting:
- a live top-15 contender,
- a rugged gatekeeper who can take him into the later rounds,
- or even Whyte again — a fight that still has heat, history, and competitive value.
Instead, this fight does absolutely nothing to prepare him for Fury, Hrgović, Zhang or whoever holds a belt in 2026 — something I covered in more detail in my breakdown of Joshua’s 2026 return plan.
Jake Paul as a Heavyweight: The Most Dangerous Part of All This
Eddie Hearn insists this is a fully sanctioned heavyweight contest.
But Jake Paul has:
- never fought a genuine heavyweight
- struggled with Tommy Fury, who isn’t a big puncher
- never felt the power of someone like AJ
- never operated at heavyweight safely
Saying Paul can “blow up” to heavyweight is reckless.
And as I’ve already explored here — The Risk Factor in AJ vs Jake Paul — this isn’t just stupid… it’s dangerous.
You can’t throw 15–20kg on a YouTuber and call him a heavyweight.
There are medical risks.
Punch-resistance risks.
Serious, career-ending risks.
But none of that seems to matter when Netflix cheques are floating around.
AJ Has Everything to Lose, Jake Paul Has Nothing to Lose
This is the entire story.
- If AJ wins, people shrug.
- If AJ struggles, his stock plummets.
- If AJ gets clipped, even once, the memes write themselves.
- If something goes horribly wrong? Career over.
And on the other side:
- If Paul loses, it’s expected.
- If Paul wins? Boxing as a sport explodes from the embarrassment.
Joshua gains nothing here — no credibility, no ranking boost, nothing that helps his journey toward another belt.
Jake Paul, meanwhile, plays with house money.
This is why AJ’s decision-making at this stage is so important — something I went into in detail in his 2026 final run analysis
This Fight Does Nothing for Joshua’s World Title Ambitions
If AJ is genuinely targeting a world title in 2026 — which he’s said multiple times — then this fight is pointless.
No:
- meaningful rounds,
- top-level preparation,
- strategic challenge,
- or competitive value.
You can’t prepare for Fury, Zhang or Hrgović by punching down at a blown-up cruiserweight.
This is staging.
Not building.
And despite endless sparring, nothing replaces real fight conditions. Nothing.
The Jake Paul UK Licence Issue Still Isn’t Resolved
Even though the fight is in Miami, the UK licence situation still matters. Regulation. Medical standards. Governing consistency. Safety.
I covered the licence complications here:
Paul’s UK Licence Situation Explained
It’s all part of the bigger issue: this fight is being forced together with money, not sense.
Let’s Be Honest: This Fight Exists for One Reason
Money.
Not rankings.
Not merit.
Not legacy.
Not preparation.
Just money.
And while boxing has always been a business, this one crosses into pure circus territory.
If you missed my original breakdown, here’s the full deep dive:
Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul Fight Analysis
What Do You Think — Am I Overreacting, or Is This Fight Absolute Madness?
Is this:
- the worst matchmaking call of AJ’s career?
- a harmless payday?
- or a sign that boxing has finally tipped over the edge?
Drop your thoughts in the comments, share the piece, and for the full story as it develops, head over to CMBoxing— real boxing, real analysis, no circus.