When Queensberry Promotions announced the December 2025 bout between Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul, boxing purists braced for the inevitable. Frank Warren, the 72-year-old chairman of the London-based promoter and Joshua’s longtime manager since 2017, didn’t hold back. "It’s one of those car crash fights," Warren told reporters during a November 21, 2025 media appearance ahead of his "Night of Champions" event. He wasn’t wrong. The spectacle isn’t just about boxing—it’s about legacy, reputation, and the blurred lines between sport and spectacle.
The Face-Off That Shook Miami
The tension wasn’t just verbal. On November 21, at Island Gardens in Miami, the two fighters stood face-to-face for the first time. Anthony Joshua, towering at 6 feet 6 inches and weighing 240 pounds, loomed over the 6-foot-1, 200-pound Jake Paul. The visual alone told a story: the former unified heavyweight champion, once the face of British boxing, against the social media titan who turned YouTube fame into a boxing career.Paul didn’t shy from the challenge. In a YouTube video released the same day, he called Joshua "CHINNY"—a nickname that stuck—and admitted, "He’s very, very, very tough." Paul referenced Joshua’s resilience against Francis Ngannou in March 2025, where Joshua knocked out the former UFC champ in the second round at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh. "He gets back up. He knows how to fight when he’s hurt," Paul said. But then came the threat: "I’m gonna knock him out."
Warren’s Dilemma: Tradition vs. Transaction
Warren’s comments carry weight. Queensberry Promotions, founded in 1990, has promoted 32 world title fights. It’s the engine behind Joshua’s rise—from Olympic gold in 2012 to world titles in 2016 and 2018. But now, Warren is promoting a fighter who never boxed competitively until age 24, who built his brand on TikTok challenges and internet feuds. The contradiction isn’t lost on fans."He’s not a boxer," one longtime ringside observer told me. "But Frank’s got a deal with DAZN. He’s not turning down money. He’s just not pretending it’s the same as a Fury-Ukic fight."
Warren’s skepticism isn’t new. He’s long been critical of crossover bouts. Yet Queensberry Promotions is the one pushing this. Why? Because the numbers are impossible to ignore. Fight Hub TV’s press conference clip hit 694,000 views in under 24 hours. Industry insiders estimate the pay-per-view revenue could hit $50–70 million. For context, Joshua’s 2024 loss to Oleksandr Usyk generated $28 million. This fight could double it.
Joshua’s Redemption Arc
For Anthony Joshua, this isn’t just a fight—it’s a lifeline. After losing his unified titles to Usyk in August 2024, he needed a win to stay relevant. His brutal knockout of Ngannou in March 2025 gave him momentum, but it didn’t restore his aura. Ngannou, despite his UFC pedigree, hadn’t fought professionally in over two years. Paul is different. He’s young, hungry, and undefeated in boxing (8-0, 6 KOs). He’s not a retired NFL player or a former UFC champion. He’s a threat.Joshua’s team knows this. His camp has been training in the UK with elite sparring partners, emphasizing footwork and defensive discipline. They’re not trying to out-brawl Paul. They’re trying to out-think him. "He’s not a technician," said a source close to Joshua’s camp. "But he’s got speed, power, and he’s not afraid to throw bombs. We need to make him pay for every shot."
Paul’s Legitimacy Test
For Jake Paul, this is the moment he’s been building toward. His wins over Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley, and even Mike Tyson in 2024 were spectacle-driven. But Joshua? He’s a former world champion with 25 knockouts. Beat him, and Paul becomes more than a meme—he becomes a legitimate force in boxing."If I win this," Paul said in his November 21 interview, "I don’t need to prove anything to anyone anymore. Not the haters. Not the old-school guys. Not even my brother Logan." (Yes, rumors swirl about Logan Paul potentially facing Tyson Fury, but Jake dismissed it: "I don’t know if that’s true or not.")
What’s Next? The Ripple Effect
This fight isn’t just about two men in a ring. It’s about the future of boxing. If the event draws 2 million PPV buys, expect more crossover bouts—think MMA stars, pro wrestlers, even influencers from other sports. If it flops, the boxing establishment will double down on purity. But with DAZN reportedly paying a seven-figure guarantee and the fight scheduled for December 2025 (location still unconfirmed), the industry is betting big.And what of Frank Warren? He’s still the man pulling the strings. He’s not endorsing the fight—he’s enabling it. "I’m not here to judge," he said in a quiet moment after the presser. "I’m here to make sure the lights stay on."
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Frank Warren calling this a 'car crash fight' if he’s promoting it?
Warren, a traditional boxing promoter since the 1980s, openly disapproves of celebrity crossover bouts but recognizes the financial reality. Queensberry Promotions has secured a major deal with DAZN, and the event could generate $50–70 million in revenue. His comment reflects his personal skepticism, not his business decision—he’s promoting it because the money is too big to ignore.
How does this fight impact Anthony Joshua’s legacy?
Joshua’s legacy is already complex: Olympic gold, unified champion, then losses to Usyk and a controversial draw with Andy Ruiz Jr. A win over Paul wouldn’t restore his elite status, but it would keep him in title contention and likely earn him a rematch with Usyk. A loss, however, could cement his transition from world-class boxer to mainstream attraction, potentially ending his reign as a top-tier heavyweight.
Is Jake Paul really a legitimate boxer?
Paul has an 8-0 professional record with six knockouts, but his opponents have been retired athletes or non-pros. Joshua, with a 28-3 record and 25 KOs, is his first true elite-level opponent. If Paul wins, he’ll be the first social media star to defeat a former unified heavyweight champion—making him the most legitimate crossover boxer in history.
What role does DAZN play in this fight?
DAZN has reportedly secured exclusive streaming rights for the bout, likely paying a seven-figure guarantee to Queensberry Promotions. The platform has aggressively expanded into boxing, betting that crossover events drive subscriber growth. With over 694,000 views on the press conference clip alone, DAZN expects massive engagement, potentially rivaling its biggest boxing events of 2024.
Could this fight lead to more celebrity boxing matches?
Absolutely. If the pay-per-view numbers hit $50 million+, expect UFC stars like Conor McGregor to pursue similar bouts, and even NFL or NBA players to test their hand in the ring. Boxing’s governing bodies have little control over these events, and promoters like Warren know the revenue potential outweighs the criticism. The sport’s future may be less about technical mastery and more about viral appeal.
What’s the significance of the Island Gardens venue?
Island Gardens in Miami is where Jake Paul made his professional debut in 2020. Choosing it again for the Joshua fight is symbolic: it’s where his boxing journey began, and now he’s returning to face his biggest challenge yet. The venue’s intimate size—around 10,000 seats—creates a charged atmosphere, contrasting with the massive stadiums Joshua typically fights in, adding to the David-vs-Goliath narrative.
