This Friday’s fight between Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul on Netflix may seem like a hyped up money grab, but the results have the potential to significantly alter the future of professional boxing.
The odds at online boxing sportsbooks favor Joshua by a 10-to-1 margin, representing an uncompetitive match that shouldn’t command much attention – yet it does. So why the intrigue?
There’s still a car-crash-style magnetism attached to these Jake Paul fights. People are anxious to see him get knocked out, and there’s a decent chance of that happening on the 19th.
What Happens If Anthony Joshua Wins?
A win over Jake Paul would be seen as Joshua doing what an elite, two‑time heavyweight champion is expected to do against a far less accomplished opponent. It would prevent the kind of reputational damage many analysts say a loss to Paul would cause, keeping his status as a top‑level heavyweight intact.
Joshua and his team are treating the Paul bout as a bridge to bigger heavyweight contests, including a targeted showdown with Tyson Fury next year if he comes through unscathed.
A Joshua win would also reinforce the idea that crossover stars like Paul have a ceiling against true elite heavyweights, which some traditionalists hope will cool the celebrity‑boxing trend.
At the same time, the event’s visibility on a major streaming platform means a dominant victory could still boost Joshua’s mainstream profile and earning power going into those larger heavyweight bouts.
For a large portion of viewers, this will be their first time seeing Anthony Joshua in action. A decisive knockout will etch upon their minds forever.
What Happens If Jake Paul Wins?
A Jake Paul win over Anthony Joshua would represent one of boxing’s greatest upsets ever, given Joshua’s elite heavyweight pedigree versus Paul’s background in celebrity boxing. It would inflict severe, potentially irreparable damage to Joshua’s legacy.
Paul would gain unprecedented credibility, elevating him from YouTuber-boxer to a heavyweight threat and likely inspiring more celebrity crossover attempts. This could open doors to more high-profile bouts, massive paydays, and mainstream sports validation.
The upset would also once again fuel debates on the legitimacy of Paul’s fights, as many felt that his recent bout with Mike Tyson seemed staged.
Have The Betting Odds Shifted?
When we first wrote about the Anthony vs. Paul odds back on December 1st, Jake Paul had a moneyline that ranged from +550 to +650, while Anthony’s odds of winning were between -977 and -1299.
While there have been slight shifts across the board, the betting odds for the fight remain within those margins, suggesting that action has been coming in evenly for both boxers.
