Frank Warren believes Anthony Joshua’s career is on the line against Jake Paul

Anthony Joshua can’t afford to lose against Jake Paul

In what is likely the most shocking fight of 2025, former two-time unified heavyweight champion of the world, Anthony Joshua (28-4, 25 KO’s), takes on social media sensation turned boxer Jake Paul (12-1, 7 KO’s).

Jake Paul’s only loss came at the hands of Tommy Fury in 2023 - who is by no means a world beater. 

As a result, the majority of the boxing world - including rising prospect, Moses Itauma -  has been quick to write off the American, claiming that there is almost no chance he can come away with a win on December 19. 

And Tyson Fury’s former promoter - and the face of Queensberry Boxing - has revealed that anything other than a win for ‘AJ’ would have disastrous consequences for his career.

"If he 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," Frank Warren told Sky Sports.

"I come from a traditional background in boxing and the bottom line of it, you think a good big 'un will beat a good little 'un. Well, AJ didn't look so good in his last fight, he got absolutely taken apart by Daniel Dubois.

"Jake Paul, he's had 13 fights, that's it. He's stepping up. Everybody's accusing him of ducking people. What you've got to take into consideration is Jake Paul is actually in the gym, has been training and is now and has been a licenced boxer."

"It's a massive, massive step up for him, it's a massive step up. Fighting a natural heavyweight, a big guy, a two-time heavyweight world champion, Olympic gold medallist, all that, it's a massive, massive first step up and he'll go in as a big underdog, a big, big underdog.

"But everyone will be watching it.

“I liken it to a car crash. [People] will buy into it, and they'll watch it and it'll do big, big numbers."