Jake Paul (12-1, 7 KOs) is all set to face Anthony Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs) in an undoubtedly controversial matchup on December 19. Paul has often been accused of staging his fights, and according to Deontay Wilder, the legitimacy of this fight might not be very different.
Talking to Fight Hub TV, Wilder shared his thoughts on the upcoming fight and why he feels it just isn’t as real as fans perceive it to be.
“I think it’s scripted a little bit because of the weight difference, and Joshua is a former champion. Also, he’s currently active,” he said. “This is the first time we’re seeing Paul against an active fighter. We’ve seen him against Mike Tyson. That was all fun and games. But now you’re dealing with a real professional. We’ll see how it ends. Like I said, I think it’s scripted.”
Wilder’s words certainly ring true. While it can be said that Paul did face “active” fighters, the context matters, as most of his opponents were either retired, far from their prime, or not active professional boxers at the time he fought them.
It could be said that Nate Diaz was an active competitor with a long MMA career, however he had no professional boxing record heading into that fight. On the other hand, while Tommy Fury was and is still a professional boxing contender, he isn’t exactly a fighter one could call active, having fought only twice since their fight in February 2023.
Meanwhile, Joshua is still in his prime, albeit in the last few years of the same. Moreover, with four wins in his last five fights, he is undoubtedly a formidable force.
With Wilder assuming the fight is scripted, He hopes neither fighter will dish out much punishment.
“I want everyone to have fun. I want them to enjoy themselves because we risk our lives for others’ entertainment. Just go home safely to have memories to say we did a great job,” he said.
“The Artillery Will Be Heavy”
However, Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn’s words might just put Wilder‘s assumptions to rest. Talking to iFL TV, Hearn stressed that there was nothing fake about the fight and that Paul should prepare himself for some intense punishment.
“He will find out all about levels and power and the danger of taking a fight like this,” he said. “The only thing is, how bad is he going to get knocked out. It probably comes down to a little bit of luck. He needs to get lucky to nothing to land too clean. The biggest result for Jake Paul right now is that he gets away with it by not getting hit too flush because the artillery will be heavy.”
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