AMIR KHAN fears Jake Paul is putting his life on the line against Anthony Joshua – and must be protected from himself.
The incredibly brave or dangerously deluded American faces two-time heavyweight world champion AJ on December 19 in Miami.
Britain’s Boxing Board of Control spoke out to slam the Netflix fight and said they would not have sanctioned it on our soil.
But the bout will be hosted by the Florida State Athletic Commission – who have far looser regulations than the more respected states like Nevada or New York.
And with no one standing in the way of the fight, Khan believes YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul has been let down by his close circle.
He told SunSport: “Someone like Jake Paul needs to be protected by his own team, no one’s really helping him in my opinion.
“Look, everyone’s seen the dollar signs. Stop and think because you can put the poor guy’s life on the line and that one punch can always change your life.
“So let’s hope that he comes out of this fight in one piece because we know, we all know there’s only one winner in this fight.
“There’s no chance Jake Paul has. Not to sound disrespectful. Look, I don’t want him to think I’m a hater in any way. I’m not a hater, it’s real talk.
“You can’t be an Olympic champion, world champion fighting against a guy that’s an influencer, that’s had a few professional fights, looked tasty, got knockout power, but like I said, he’s fighting one of the heavyweight top fighters.”
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Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua – all the info
A true Christmas miracle!
The world will stand still come December 19 as the face of British boxing Anthony Joshua is all set to go up against social media sensation Jake Paul.
AJ steps in on a month’s notice after Paul’s ‘David vs Goliath’ Gervonta Davis clash was axed due to Tank’s civil suit case.
And Joshua will be desperate not to suffer the same fate as legends Mike Tyson and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr who both lost to YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul.
Particularly as a handsome figure was negotiated to get this Judgement Day deal over the line due to AJ’s DAZN contract.
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Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua: All the information you need.
The fight is professionally-sanctioned at heavyweight, over eight scheduled rounds with 10oz gloves to be worn.
AJ’s only restriction is he must weigh-in no more than 245lb – which is still THREE STONE heavier than Paul’s usual 14st 4lb cruiserweight frame.
Paul, 28, beat former middleweight world champ Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, 39, in his last bout in June.
And his only heavyweight bout came last November when he beat Mike Tyson – who controversially made a comeback aged 58.
But he was beaten by Tommy Fury, 26, just two years ago in a scrappy split-decision, his only loss to date.
Joshua, 36, meanwhile will return for the first time since his September 2024 knockout loss to Daniel Dubois, 28.
The 2012 Olympic gold medallist was the unified world champ when Paul made his professional debut just five years ago.
And Khan – who retired after losing to Kell Brook in 2022 – reckons their mismatch this month will spell the end to new-age celebrity boxers.
Everyone’s seen the dollar signs. Stop and think because you can put the poor guy’s life on the line and that one punch can always change your life.
Amir Khan on Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua
He said at the 2025 IBA World Championships: “Someone’s gonna get hurt really badly. I mean, he’s a YouTuber.
“If you look at what he was doing five years ago, the guy was making jokes and making people laugh on screen.
“Now he’s going in with one of the hardest hitting heavyweights. Like, come on, man.
“I mean you have to respect the sport till someone gets hurt and hurt, hurt badly as well.
“I think that’s when people are gonna think, wait a minute, we have to respect the sport of boxing because look, you have to understand, when AJ hits you, he’s gonna hit you with all his power behind that shot.
“And can a guy like Jake Paul take that shot? I mean, let’s see. Time will tell, but like I said, I think it’s a big mismatch in a sense.
“If I was AJ, I would take it. Why wouldn’t I take it? Because the money is right there, the exposure you’re gonna get. Don’t get me wrong, he’s got millions of fans.
“Both of the fighters have millions of fans but I just feel that it could be one of the last ever fights we see where a YouTuber or influencer steps in the ring.”
