Paul vs Joshua: What can previous crossover fights tell us as Paul looks to prove a point

The fight no-one expected is almost upon us as the former unified heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua takes on Jake Paul this Friday in Miami.

There’s been a steady groan from boxing purists since the fight was announced. They say that Jake Paul has no business in a boxing ring and that “crossover” fights like this are “fixed” to protect or favour the influencer and don’t deliver on the intense hype that precedes them.

AJ appears to be overwhelmingly superior. He is five inches taller, a natural super heavyweight against a man who has beefed himself up in the weights room. AJ is one of the best heavyweights of recent years and a monstrous puncher. 

Jake found boxing very late. He comes from an entertainment background and clearly knows how to put on a show. But is there any chance he can do the seemingly impossible, by beating AJ? 

First let’s explore whether the purists are right and that crossover fights are worthless. Here are four big ones to consider:

Jake Paul vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr

• June 2025

A dismal performance by Chavez. Paul used his mobility to have Chavez trailing hopelessly after him for most of the fight.

Fight quality: 3/10 

Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson

• November 2024

Mike could hardly move his legs and had trouble pulling the trigger. For those who remember the fearsome athlete that Tyson once was, this was a sad spectacle.

Tyson’s punch count? 18 for the whole fight! The cascades of boos from the audience said it all. 

Fight quality: 1/10 

Jake Paul v Tommy Fury

• February 2023

This was a pretty good fight! Jake and Tommy were well matched and they fought at a lively pace. Good punches were landed by both men and Jake shocked Tommy with a knockdown. 

Jake has some power! After a fairly close fight, Fury got the decision.

Fight quality:7/10

(Jonathan Walley)

Floyd Mayweather vs Logan Paul

• June 2021

A mess of a fight. Just an exhibition so no winner. Floyd went through the motions while the much bigger Logan Paul swung wildly, mostly connecting with gloves and thin air.

He quickly exhausted himself and hung on to the final bell.

Fight quality: 1/10

Paul to prove he is no joke

So with the exception of one, these fights were a real letdown. But I am inclined to think they weren’t fixed.

Tyson was simply too old, Chavez too jaded and Floyd didn’t appear to try his best but it was an exhibition - more of a celebrity event than a real match.  And of course, Jake Paul lost his fight against boxer, Tommy Fury.

So based on all that, I should be approaching Paul vs. AJ with low expectations. So why then do I find myself intrigued? 

I think it’s down to two things.

The first is that we don’t know what AJ will be like following his devastating knockout at the hands of Daniel Dubois.

Is Jake betting on AJ being a shot fighter? He only selects opponents he is confident of beating.

Second is that Jake Paul has been honing his combat skills for seven years. He spares no expense, hiring the best sparring partners, trainers and equipment. He has pride and something to prove.

Just as Fabio Wardley can’t shake the label of white collar boxer, people still think of Jake as a YouTuber. But both of them are serious professional boxers now. 

AJ is rightly a huge favourite but Jake Paul is no joke.

Win or lose, I think he will show that he belongs in that ring on Friday.

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