Jake Paul’s controversial journey from YouTube star to professional boxer reaches its most dangerous chapter on Friday, when he faces former heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua in a lucrative, made-for-streaming bout that has sparked widespread concern across the boxing world.

Just over a year after Paul’s heavily criticised victory over a 58-year-old Mike Tyson, the 28-year-old American is set to enter the ring at Miami’s Kaseya Center against a far younger — and significantly more formidable — opponent in the 36-year-old Joshua.

The Netflix-backed spectacle, which reportedly carries a staggering $184 million (£138m) purse to be split between the fighters, has drawn fierce scrutiny. Many within the sport have questioned why the contest was sanctioned at all.

The British Board of Control has already stated it would not have approved the fight on safety grounds, while numerous fighters and analysts have warned that the disparity in size, skill, and experience puts Paul at serious risk.

Paul weighed in at 199.4 pounds (90.4kg) for his most recent bout in June. Joshua, who stands 6ft 6in (1.98m) compared to Paul’s 6ft 1in (1.85m), tipped the scales at 252.5 pounds for his last fight in 2024.

Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s long-time promoter, labelled the matchup a “catastrophic mismatch” even before contracts were finalised.

‘Scary’ Potential Consequences

Other figures in the boxing world have issued even starker warnings. Former heavyweight champion David Haye suggested the fight could be the “last day on earth” for Paul.

Amir Khan, Britain’s former light-welterweight world champion, believes a brutal outcome could have wider consequences for boxing, potentially ending the recent trend of crossover bouts involving social media stars.

“I think this could be the end of YouTubers jumping in with real, active fighters,” Khan told the Daily Mail. “Because it only takes one shot. One bad night, one clean punch, and someone can get seriously hurt.

“We’ve seen how someone’s entire life can be altered.”

Khan believes Paul would stand little chance if Joshua fully exploits his physical advantages and elite ringcraft, as he did when stopping novice boxer Francis Ngannou in the second round last year.

“AJ can bang,” Khan said. “He’s a former world champion. He’s got power, size — everything. If he lands clean, the damage he can do is scary. Especially on someone like Jake Paul. He’s not capable of taking that sort of power.”

Paul Defiant Despite the Odds

Paul, who holds a professional record of 12 wins and one defeat with seven knockouts, insists he is prepared to shock the world, even acknowledging the scale of his ambition.

“I like to challenge myself against the best. We’re going to go to war and the best man will win,” Paul said last month.

“I’ve gotten to where I am today because of delusional optimism. It’s delusion until it’s not.”

Joshua, meanwhile, has vowed to treat the bout with the same seriousness as any other fight.

“If I’m gonna be honest, I’m gonna break his face, I’m gonna break his body up, I’m gonna stomp all over him,” Joshua said.

‘Boxing Is Not a Game’

Those comments have only heightened concerns among analysts. UFC Hall of Famer and combat sports commentator Michael Bisping dismissed any notion of a shock upset.

“There’s no way on this Earth that this fight ends with Jake Paul knocking out Anthony Joshua,” Bisping said on his YouTube channel.

“Joshua has way more experience. He hits harder. He’s bigger. He’s got the longer reach. He’s an Olympic champion. Jake Paul isn’t turning this into a real-life David and Goliath. That’s not happening.”

Bisping added that if Joshua follows through on his promise to fight seriously, the outcome could be dangerous.

“If this is a real fight — and apparently it is — there’s a very good chance somebody gets hurt, and it’s not going to be Anthony Joshua,” he said.

“Joshua has been in there with the best of the best. In boxing, people die. This isn’t a game. You don’t play at boxing.”