Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua: YouTuber makes British heavyweight a boxing offer he can’t refuse, says Steve Pons

Boxing expert Steve Pons says Anthony Joshua has received an “offer he can’t refuse” to fight Jake Paul.

Britain’s Joshua, a former two-time unified heavyweight champion, will face Paul, the YouTuber-turned-boxer, at the Cascia Center in Miami on December 19.

The fight will consist of eight three-minute rounds and both fighters will wear 10-ounce regulation gloves.

Joshua, 36, has weighed over 250 pounds during his previous three fights but should be under 245 pounds for the bout.

Pons said the fight was “ridiculous” and that the 28-year-old American Paul was nothing more than a “rookie”, but added that he could understand the financial appeal of Joshua, who is said to be, external He is set to earn £36.9 million ($50 million).

“Last November, Jake Paul fought Mike Tyson and almost broke the world,” Pons told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“They had something ridiculous like 300 million people watching on different channels and they were getting something along those lines in dollars as well.

“And that’s why this fight happened, let’s do it right. AJ got an offer he couldn’t refuse and he took it.

“I will not deny any man or woman the ability to professionally pack the pound note, penny, dime, or dime, and the money necessary for any fight.

“If AJ is being paid as well as we’re told he is, keep in mind he’s doing a lot of work for the community through his foundation, and if it’s spreading love and completely filling his pockets, then I have no problem with that.”

Pons said Joshua is “still in talks” about fighting fellow Briton Tyson Fury, and that a fight against Paul would be “one of the final paydays” for the fighter despite the obvious mismatch.

“AJ will be at least six inches taller, and probably four stone heavier. He’s an Olympic champion, remember – we’re ignoring that fact,” Pons explained.

“Jake Paul is a great rookie. He’s a great rookie in the weight division below — cruiserweight — and that’s what he is: a rookie. But he’s a rookie bringing up these ridiculous fights.”

Nakisa Bedaryan, co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions and Paul’s manager, said he had no concerns about the fight for safety reasons.

“I don’t think it’s reckless in any way,” he told BBC Sport.

“Jake is in a much better position than a lot of the fights that happen in boxing on a regular basis. I think he has a great opportunity.

“AJ is big and strong, but slower. He’s more vulnerable to Jake’s moves. In my opinion, this is more punishing than many fights in the sport of boxing.”