Joshua and Paul Cash In, but Deliver a Forgettable Boxing Spectacle

The very fact that Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul took place at all raised eyebrows. When the bout landed on Netflix, many fans questioned whether boxing had crossed fully into entertainment theatre rather than sport.

To be clear, this was a sanctioned professional fight — not scripted — but the action that followed was dull, predictable and painfully one-sided. No screenwriter would have pitched such a lifeless storyline.

A Fight That Failed to Ignite

The contest unfolded at a slow, joyless pace and struggled to provide any real drama. It was a spectacle that would have earned a poor rating even under generous review standards.

The irony is striking: despite the lack of excitement, the bout delivered one of the biggest paydays of Joshua’s career and likely the largest television audience he has ever attracted.

With seconds left in the fourth round, referee Christopher Young appeared to voice the frustration of viewers worldwide. Pulling both fighters together, he urged them to engage, directing his words at Paul.

“Fans didn’t pay to see this crap,” Young said.

Netflix commentator Mauro Ranallo quickly agreed: “Christopher Young with the call of the night.”

Paul Came to Survive, Not to Fight

Throughout fight week, Joshua spoke about “carrying boxing on his back.” On Friday night in Miami, he eventually did the job — but only after an awkward, laborious process.

Paul, despite promising the “greatest upset in sporting history,” showed little intention of engaging. He spent much of the fight circling the ring — which was two feet wider than standard — clearly aiming to survive rather than compete.

When contact came, it was often scrappy, with Paul frequently grabbing low, drawing on his wrestling background. Punch output from Paul was minimal, while Joshua threw wild, frustrated shots that even a novice opponent managed to avoid.

“It’s a win, but it’s not a success,” Joshua admitted afterwards. “I’ve got a lot of improving to do. I’m not happy.”

Big Money, Little Meaning

Joshua walked away with his share of a reported £210 million purse, but from a boxing standpoint, the fight meant very little — especially for UK fans who stayed up into the early hours to watch.

Standing in the ring, Joshua openly said he did not care about legacy. It was an honest assessment. Nothing about this fight added to it.

At 36, Joshua is an Olympic gold medallist, a former two-time world heavyweight champion, and a figure who has already left a major mark on the sport. Going six rounds against a 28-year-old YouTuber-turned-boxer who had never faced elite competition does nothing to enhance that record.

“I wish I could have knocked him out at the start,” Joshua said. “But Jake showed spirit. He tried his best.”

Boxing’s Commercial Shift

The bout highlighted how boxing continues to drift toward spectacle over sporting logic, driven by streaming platforms, hype and massive audiences. Similar thinking has fueled recent talk of Irish star Katie Taylor potentially facing former UFC champion Ronda Rousey.

Joshua appears willing to operate in this space. Two of his last three fights have been against boxing novices — Francis Ngannou and now Paul. His only elite-level contest in that period ended in a heavy knockout loss to Daniel Dubois.

That defeat raised serious questions about Joshua’s decline after 33 professional fights and a long amateur career. Against that backdrop, few can blame him for chasing money and exposure at this stage of his career.

Promoter Eddie Hearn did not dismiss reports linking Joshua to a potential February fight with kickboxer Rico Verhoeven.

“We’re working out dates,” Hearn said. “We won’t rush him, but it won’t be long.”

Paul’s Power Is the Audience

Jake Paul has long demanded recognition as a “real” boxer, calling out elite names like Canelo Alvarez while continuing to face opponents ranging from retired MMA fighters to non-boxers.

Yet he still managed to secure a fight with an Olympic champion and former heavyweight king — despite being a novice cruiserweight.

The reason is simple: reach.

Paul boasts more than 55 million followers across social media platforms. That audience translates directly into money. Forbes estimates his net worth at around $50 million (£37.5 million).

In modern boxing, attention pays — even when the action does