Boxing analyst Steve Bunce says former unified heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua accepted an “offer he simply couldn’t refuse” for his shocking showdown with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul. The fight — scheduled for 19 December at the Kaseya Center in Miami — has already become one of the most talked-about combat sports events of 2025.
The bout is set for eight three-minute rounds, with both fighters wearing standard 10-ounce gloves. Joshua, now 36, will also be required to weigh under 245 lbs, despite coming in above 250 lbs in his last three fights.
“Ridiculous — but financially irresistible,” says Bunce
Bunce didn’t hide his opinion of the matchup, calling it “ridiculous” and labeling Paul a “terrific novice,” but admitted the financial incentive for Joshua is extraordinary. Multiple reports suggest Joshua will earn £36.9 million ($50 million) for the fight — one of the biggest paydays of his storied career.
Bunce told BBC Radio 5 Live:
“AJ has been made an offer he simply couldn’t refuse.
These fights Jake Paul is involved in attract hundreds of millions of viewers.
You can’t blame AJ for accepting that kind of money.”
He also highlighted Joshua’s charitable work and his foundation, suggesting the purse will benefit more than just Joshua’s personal bank account.
Joshua vs Paul: A massive mismatch on paper
Physically, the fighters couldn’t be further apart. Joshua has:
- 6 inches of height advantage
- Around 4 stone (56 lbs) of weight advantage
- Olympic gold medal pedigree
- Experience fighting the world’s top heavyweights
Meanwhile, Paul — who has 12 wins in 13 pro fights — is a cruiserweight who has never fought an elite heavyweight.
Still, Bunce concedes Paul has become an expert at generating global attention with unconventional matchups.
Fury, Ngannou, and the rise of the super-spectacle fight
Bunce compared this fight to Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou and Joshua’s own second-round KO win over Ngannou in 2024.
He stressed, however, that Ngannou, at 6ft 7in and 20 stone, was at least physically comparable to Joshua — something Jake Paul absolutely is not.
“If Ngannou could get sparked out cold, lord only knows what happens to Jake Paul once the first bell sounds,” Bunce warned.
Safety concerns: Former fighter Nick Blackwell says the fight is “dangerous”
Ex-middleweight Nick Blackwell, who retired after a life-threatening brain injury, condemned the matchup.
He says he fears the physical danger for Paul:
“Joshua will be able to do whatever he wants.
I don’t want anyone going through what I’ve been through.”
Yet even Blackwell admits the global public will tune in to watch.
Paul’s camp: “This is not reckless — Jake can win.”
Nakisa Bidarian, Paul’s manager and co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions, says the fight is legitimate and sanctionable.
He claims Joshua’s size is offset by speed issues:
“AJ is big and strong, but slower and more vulnerable to Jake’s movement.
Jake has a great shot.”
Bidarian even predicts the fight will be the biggest combat sports event of 2025, surpassing Tyson vs Paul in global viewership.
Is this a dignified ending for Joshua?
Bunce admits the matchup isn’t the “dignified” final chapter fans hoped for, especially as Joshua remains in talks for a potential fight with Tyson Fury.
“Of course I’d have preferred AJ vs Fury five years ago.
But the world has changed — these are the fights that draw huge money now.”
He jokes that boxing has seen worse spectacles:
“Chuck Wepner literally fought a bear — twice!
You can’t make this sport up.”
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