Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua Showdown May Face UK Ban as Officials Take a Stand

THE General Secretary of the British Boxing Board of Control has slammed talk of a potential Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul fight.

The association’s secretary has said he “can’t see” taking on YouTuber-turned-boxer in the UK.

Anthony Joshua is getting ready fight Jake Paul on December 19Credit: Getty The shock bout will be streamed on NetflixCredit: Getty The fight has been dubbed ‘Judgement Day’Credit: X @MatchroomBoxing

Speaking on The Sports Agents podcast, Robert Smith revealed there have been no talks with the Board about the bout and suggested it is highly unlikely to be sanctioned.

Smith said: “We talk about these types of matches with AJ and Paul.

“I mean, I’m totally against it, to be honest with you. I don’t understand why anybody would want to do it.”

He added: “We haven’t had any conversation with anybody and I’d find it extremely surprising if the board agreed for that to happen in . I can’t see it happening here.”

While the fight would no doubt make headlines and big and Smith doesn’t see any other reason for it to go ahead.

He said: “Personally, I don’t see the reason for it other than money.

“It’s a different society now than it used to be. It’s social media, etc., and my children look at things differently than I do.

“I’m sure yours do and it’s just a different media altogether and sometimes it’s quite surprising.”

Jake Paul fought Tommy Fury in 2023Credit: Getty Joshua was knocked out by Dubois in September 2024Credit: Getty

Broadcaster Ade Oladipo, also on the podcast, labelled the matchup a “circus fight” and predicted Joshua would knock Paul out in the first round.

Oladipo said: “He’s gone from fighting Gervonta Davis, who weighs 160 pounds to AJ who weighs 260.

“So yeah, this type of circus fight, I think, needs to be looked at very carefully.

“But there is no way AJ shouldn’t be able to knock out Jake Paul in a round.”

So despite the hype around Joshua and Paul, it looks like fans in the UK won’t see the fight.

But SunSport understand that the details of the fight is that both boxers will have to wear 10oz gloves and a – AJ has weighed over 250lbs for his last five fights.

So even Paul’s starkest critics – now forced to give the either brave or seriously deluded American credit – will fear for the outcome.

But with a of around £100MILLION to be shared between the two – – the risk of a sickening mismatch is too lucrative to pass up on.

Joshua, 36, has not fought since his September 2024 KO loss to Daniel Dubois, 28, at after spending the recovering from elbow surgery.

The 2012 Olympic champion was due to return in a late-notice comeback fight against a mystery opponent next month.