Eddie Hearn called Jake Paul a “madman” as reports indicated a deal for Paul to fight former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is nearly complete. Hearn promotes Joshua and reflects widespread reactions to a possible matchup between the 6-foot-6 Joshua, who has fought in 13 title bouts, and the 6-1 Paul, who has fought in 13 pro contests in total.
Joshua owns a 28-4 record with 25 knockouts, while Paul holds a 12-1 record with seven knockouts. Hearn told the BBC that Paul has grown into a professional fighter, yet he insisted that Paul remains far below Joshua’s level. He said Paul becomes a “madman” if he accepts this challenge.
Former world champion Buddy McGirt, now a respected trainer, questioned whether any boxing commission would approve the matchup. He argued that Joshua, 36, possesses vastly more experience than Paul, 28. McGirt added that if officials sanction the fight, he believes Paul holds a real chance to win.
McGirt, who won the IBF junior welterweight title in 1988 and later claimed the WBC welterweight title from 1991 to 1993, has trained champions such as Arturo Gatti, Antonio Tarver, and Hasim Rahman. He wondered if both men would fully commit during the bout but still considered that possibility.
McGirt noted that Paul can punch, but he emphasized that Paul has never faced someone like Joshua. He estimated Paul’s odds at “50-50,” explaining that heavyweights always create unpredictable outcomes. He also referenced Joshua’s dominance against Francis Ngannou, whom Joshua dropped in the first round and knocked out in the second. McGirt said he walked to his car after Joshua’s first punch because he knew the fight was finished.
Trainers Debate the Matchup
Gloria Thornton-Peek, a veteran trainer known for her work with Claressa Shields before her 2012 Olympic gold medal run, also trained male fighters including Andre Ward, who retired 32-0. Thornton-Peek argued that Joshua’s career has declined.
She claimed Paul selects opponents who have spent long periods away from the sport or no longer perform near their prime. She said that strategy does not represent true competition because those fighters have lost their edge. She argued that Paul benefits from this approach and places himself in favorable positions that increase his chances of winning. She added that Paul does not need to risk everything to succeed.
Adonis Frazier, a retired fighter and accomplished trainer for champions such as David Morrell, assessed Paul’s chances similarly. Frazier said boxing always offers a puncher’s chance, unlike basketball blowouts where crowds leave early. He said Joshua’s veteran experience creates a difficult challenge for Paul.
Frazier also urged observers to consider the business aspect. Joshua commands a massive UK following, while Paul commands a massive social-media audience. He argued that combining both markets makes financial sense. He noted that a loss would not damage Paul significantly because he competes at cruiserweight and could say he lost to a former heavyweight champion.
Analysts Weigh Paul’s Risk and Reward
Johnathon Banks, who once held the IBO cruiserweight title from 2008 to 2009 and later trained champions including Gennady Golovkin, Wladimir Klitschko, and Badou Jack, rated Paul’s chances higher than most fighters’. Banks said everyone owns a chance, but he believes Paul holds an even greater one.
He argued that Paul enters the ring with nothing to lose and everything to gain. Banks added that any fighter becomes dangerous when he carries no risk to his reputation or status.
