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.
The former world heavyweight champion believes that the YouTuber-turned-boxer would be facing a “lion” in Joshua, calling 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, after Paul’s previously scheduled showdown with Gervonta Davis was cancelled due to the lightweight world champion being hit with a fresh domestic abuse lawsuit.
Negotiations are said to be at an advanced stage, with Netflix poised to air the contest globally.
It would be the streaming giant’s biggest foray yet into live sport, with early reports suggesting a nine-figure purse for the two fighters.
Anthony Joshua last fought in September 2024, when he was knocked out by Daniel Dubois at Wembley
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GETTYJoshua, 36, has not fought since suffering a fifth-round knockout to Daniel Dubois at Wembley in September last year.
Despite the layoff, however, few doubt his ability to dispatch Paul with ease.
A former Olympic gold medallist and two-time heavyweight champion of the world, Joshua boasts one of the most accomplished résumés in modern boxing, with notable victories over Wladimir Klitschko, Joseph Parker and Alexander Povetkin.
Jake Paul beat Mike Tyson in a mismatch of a fight last year
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Paul, meanwhile, has built his reputation through YouTube and celebrity bouts.
The 28-year-old American has fought 13 times since his professional debut in 2020, losing only once—to Tommy Fury, but his level of opposition has been modest.
He went the distance with a 58-year-old Mike Tyson in November last year, in a fight widely criticised as an exhibition rather than a genuine contest.
Haye has also questioned how such a fight could be sanctioned by any credible boxing authority.
“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 said.
“Unless Anthony Joshua is in hospital, connected to a life support machine, he should find a way to victory in any way he wants. Paul has only 12 career wins against very modest competition. AJ is an Olympic gold medallist and two-time world champion — this is absolutely crazy.”
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Joshua had been hoping to face Tyson Fury in an all-British blockbuster, but Fury has repeatedly claimed to be retired while Oleksandr Usyk — who has beaten both heavyweights — is due to defend his belts against mandatory challenger Fabio Wardley.
The biggest obstacle to the Netflix deal remains Joshua’s exclusive broadcast contract with DAZN, which owns his global streaming rights.
However, DAZN has previously partnered with Netflix to co-stream Katie Taylor’s bouts against Amanda Serrano, suggesting a deal could yet be struck.
Promoter Eddie Hearn hinted that he is open to the idea, saying 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 be one of the most lucrative events in boxing history.
It would also be one of the sport’s most controversial, too.
