David Haye weighs in on Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul

Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul headlines a Most Valuable Promotions fight card on December 19 at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. The main card will be available to stream on Netflix for all subscribers.

As this highly anticipated fight gets closer, many in the sport are predicting the outcome of the main event. Former cruiserweight and heavyweight world champion David Haye has spoken to Daily Mail Sport, offering his take on Joshua vs Paul.

Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul – David Haye gives his take

Joshua vs Paul has split opinion across the sport, with many describing it as a complete mismatch. Looking at Paul’s fight record, it’s a massive step up to face the former two-time unified heavyweight champion.

AJ has not fought since being eviscerated by Daniel Dubois in 2024. Does Joshua have the desire to challenge for a world title again, or is this a last payday for a British great who’s on the verge of retirement?

Despite the bout being registered as a ‘real’ fight rather than an exhibition, many still feel there is a script in place for it. The rules for Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul can be seen below:

• The fight is scheduled for eight 3-minute rounds.
• It is a sanctioned professional bout.
• Paul and Joshua will wear 10-ounce gloves.
• The only stipulation is that Joshua cannot weigh more than 245 pounds.

Speaking to Daily Mail Sport, Haye was asked if people are underestimating how dangerous this fight is:

“My initial thoughts were, this is craziness. This is madness. Jake Paul is going to get hurt.

“As time goes by, I’m starting to think, ok, now that initial shock is gone, and the fight is taking place, if I’m Jake Paul, why am I taking the fight? What’s the point of me putting myself in such harm’s way? If Anthony Joshua’s ever gonna fight terribly, it’s gonna be against someone he completely overlooks. Someone he doesn’t believe deserves to be in the ring with him. 

“All it takes is one shot, and I think Jake Paul and his team believe what they’ve got is enough to somehow pull off one of the biggest upsets in the history of boxing,” said Haye.

Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul full fight card

• Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul, 8 rounds, heavyweights
• Alycia Baumgardner vs Leila Beaudoin, 12 rounds, for Baumgardner’s WBO/IBF/WBA women’s super featherweight titles
• Anderson Silva vs Tyron Woodley, 6 rounds, cruiserweights
• Cherneka Johnson vs Amanda Galle, 10 rounds, for Johnson’s women’s undisputed bantamweight title
• Yokasta Valle vs Yadira Bustillos, 10 rounds, for Valle’s WBC women’s strawweight title
• Avious Griffin vs Justin Cardona, 8 rounds, welterweights
• Keno Marley vs Diarra Davis Jr., 4 rounds, cruiserweights

Stay with Big Fight Weekend for coverage of Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul, including results and video highlights, and post-fight analysis.