Legal representatives for Jake Paul have launched a concerted effort to identify and pursue individuals who have publicly alleged his recent knockout defeat to Anthony Joshua was predetermined. The move comes after a wave of online speculation questioned the legitimacy of the bout.
Promoter Confirms Legal Pursuit of Online Critics
Nakisa Bidarian, Paul's business partner and co-founder of MVP, confirmed the aggressive legal stance during an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show on Monday. "Our lawyers are actively going after a number of people," Bidarian stated, highlighting one individual in particular who claims to be a lawyer online.
The post in question, which garnered significant attention, falsely asserted that an agreement existed for Anthony Joshua not to knock Paul out. Bidarian slammed the allegations as "pretty astonishing" and "beyond mind-blowing," vehemently denying any such talk had ever surrounded Paul's boxing career.
Injuries and Insider Reactions Debunk Fix Claims
The claims of a fix have been met with derision from figures within the sport, who point to the severity of Paul's injuries as undeniable proof of the fight's authenticity. The YouTube star turned boxer suffered a jaw broken in two places and lost multiple teeth during the sixth-round stoppage in Miami last Friday.
Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn, who works with Anthony Joshua, was equally dismissive. "There's absolutely no way ever" the fight was scripted, Hearn insisted on the same programme. He argued that Joshua's earlier punches, had they landed cleanly, would have caused the same damage, adding "We're not actors here, you know? It was 100% real."
Hearn also noted the serious nature of the injury, warning that "many fighters that have had their jaws broken have never boxed again."
Aftermath and Wider Context
Jake Paul, 28, is currently recovering after undergoing surgery to have two titanium plates inserted into his jaw. Despite the brutal loss, he is believed to have earned approximately $92 million from the high-profile event. The defeat marks only the second of his professional career and his first by stoppage.
For Anthony Joshua, 36, the victory represents a crucial return to form following his unexpected loss to Daniel Dubois in 2024. The win has reportedly set the stage for a potential 2026 mega-fight with fellow British heavyweight Tyson Fury.
This is not the first time Paul has taken legal action over accusations of fakery. Earlier this year, broadcaster Piers Morgan issued a lengthy public apology after describing Paul's career as "boring, staged bulls***," retracting the implication that fight outcomes were predetermined following contact from Paul's lawyer.
