David Haye warns Jake Paul of potential danger in Anthony Joshua bout
David Haye has warned that Jake Paul could die in the ring if his proposed £100million bout with Anthony Joshua goes ahead next month in Miami, reports BritPanorama.
The former world heavyweight champion believes that the YouTuber-turned-boxer would be facing a “lion” in Joshua, labelling it “a complete mismatch of power, pedigree and experience.”
“If this fight comes to fruition I genuinely fear for Jake Paul’s life,” Haye told The Sun. “If by some miracle he were to pull off an upset, it would be bigger than Mike Tyson’s defeat against Buster Douglas. In boxing pedigree terms, this is like a lion versus a house cat. Two completely different propositions.”
The fight is expected to headline at the 19,600-capacity Kaseya Center in Miami, following the cancellation of Paul’s previously scheduled showdown with Gervonta Davis due to a fresh domestic abuse lawsuit against the lightweight champion. Negotiations are reported to be at an advanced stage, with Netflix set to air the contest globally, marking its largest venture into live sport so far.
Joshua, who last fought in September 2024, is coming off a fifth-round knockout loss to Daniel Dubois at Wembley, yet few doubt his capacity to comfortably defeat Paul. The 36-year-old boasts an impressive boxing résumé, including significant victories over top competitors such as Wladimir Klitschko and Joseph Parker.
Paul, meanwhile, has gained fame through YouTube and celebrity bouts, having engaged in 13 matches since his professional debut in 2020, with just one defeat to Tommy Fury. Critics, however, question the legitimacy of his experience, given his notable fight against the 58-year-old Mike Tyson, which many observed as more of an exhibition than a true contest.
Haye has raised concerns regarding the fight’s sanctioning, stating, “I am struggling to believe that AJ will be allowed to freely punch Paul to the head without some sort of restriction or exhibition.” He emphasised the stark contrast in experience, noting, “Unless Anthony Joshua is in hospital, connected to a life support machine, he should find a way to victory in any way he wants.”
Joshua had been aiming to face Tyson Fury in a highly anticipated match-up, but Fury has persistently claimed retirement, while Oleksandr Usyk is set to defend his belts against mandatory challenger Fabio Wardley. Furthermore, Joshua’s exclusive broadcast contract with DAZN poses a challenge to the Netflix deal, although previous collaborations between DAZN and Netflix, such as co-streaming Katie Taylor’s fights, suggest that an agreement could be possible.
Promoter Eddie Hearn has indicated openness to the idea of making the fight happen, stating earlier this week: “That would be another issue to overcome. But if he really wanted it, there are ways to make it happen.” If confirmed, Joshua v Paul would not only be one of the most lucrative events in boxing history, but also one of the sport’s most controversial.
In an already unpredictable boxing landscape, the prospect of this fight underscores how the lines between sport and spectacle continue to blur, leaving fans eager—and perhaps apprehensive—about what comes next in the ring.
