Frank Warren, the prominent promoter of Tyson Fury, has delivered a stark verdict on Anthony Joshua's upcoming fight against Jake Paul, suggesting the former two-time world champion should consider retirement if he underperforms.
The High-Stakes Showdown in Miami
The boxing world is set for a surprising heavyweight encounter on 19 December in Miami, where Anthony Joshua will face Jake Paul in a professional bout. Joshua, a 36-year-old former two-time heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medallist, represents the most significant challenge of Paul's boxing career to date.
The fight is scheduled for eight three-minute rounds, with both fighters wearing standard 10oz gloves, and knockouts are permitted. In a notable stipulation, the naturally heavier Joshua cannot weigh more than 245lb the day before facing Paul, who has primarily competed at cruiserweight throughout his budding career.
Warren's Traditional Boxing Perspective
Speaking to Sky Sports, Warren expressed his concerns from a traditional boxing standpoint. "I come from a traditional background in boxing, and the bottom line of it is: you think a good big'un will beat a good little'un," Warren stated. He pointed to Joshua's last performance, where he "got absolutely taken apart by Daniel Dubois" in September 2024.
Warren highlighted the experience disparity, noting that Paul has only had 13 professional fights compared to Joshua's extensive career. "Fighting AJ, a big guy, a natural heavyweight, a two-time heavyweight world champion, Olympic gold medalist, all that... it's a massive first step-up, and he'll go in as a big underdog," Warren explained.
He delivered his blunt assessment: "If [Joshua] looks bad against Jake Paul, when you consider the experience he has and what Jake Paul's got, then I think he should turn it in."
Career Crossroads for Both Fighters
Joshua enters this bout following a difficult period in his career. His defeat by Daniel Dubois in September 2024 saw him dropped four times before suffering a stoppage loss. He has not fought since that damaging encounter.
Meanwhile, 28-year-old Jake Paul comes into the fight on the back of a points victory over former world middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in June. This represents Paul's most credible victory to date and provides momentum heading into the Joshua showdown.
The fight has sparked discussions about Joshua's future, particularly regarding a potential long-awaited British clash with Tyson Fury. Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn has continued to mention the possibility of an AJ-Fury fight next year.
Warren weighed in on this prospect, stating, "If he's going to come back, he'll make his decision, and he'll do that fairly soon, I think – if he's going to do it. He's indicated he wants to. It's not just whether he wants to, it's also the finances and what the deal would be. Let's see what happens."
Tyson Fury, 37, retired from boxing in January following two points losses to Oleksandr Usyk in 2024 – the first two defeats of his professional career. Joshua also suffered two points defeats to Usyk in 2021 and 2022, though he has recently been training with the Ukrainian's team.
The December fight represents a critical juncture for both Joshua's legacy and Paul's credibility in the sport, with Warren's comments adding significant pressure on the former champion to deliver a commanding performance.
