Boxing expert hints at secret deal preventing Anthony Joshua from harming Jake Paul - 'Hold back, aim carefully'

A surprising matchup is set as the fighter who fell to Tommy Fury now faces the pugilist who stunned Francis Ngannou. Legendary boxer Barry McGuigan, a former featherweight champion, finds this pairing puzzling and speculates that a behind-the-scenes deal might protect Jake Paul during their Netflix main event on Saturday, December 19, 2025, at the Kaseya Center in Miami.

Its hard to imagine they didnt agree on some kind of precaution, McGuigan told Betway. Think about it logically: how does Joshua get paired with this opponent? Joshua dismantled Francis Ngannoua man of enormous size and strength who went 12 rounds with Tyson Fury, even dropping himand did it in just a few rounds. Meanwhile, Tommy Fury defeated Jake Paul. So how could Paul realistically withstand Joshua? Its almost absurd, which makes me suspect there might be an understanding like, I wont go all out. Im not claiming that happened, but looking at the situation, Joshua could seriously injure him.

McGuigan emphasized the mismatch in scale. Joshua is on a completely different level. Paul goes from facing mid-tier fighters to facing a heavyweight like Joshua. Its a huge leap. Does he really want to risk his health? Joshuas power is such that even an ordinary person would be knocked out. Paul isnt exactly a heavyweight; hes closer to cruiserweight territory.

Paul has opened as the +550 underdog. McGuigan added, Considering Pauls previous bouts, it was almost comical. Mike Tyson seemed to be playing around when they fought, and he was 58 at the time. Everyone in the boxing world can foresee whats likely to happen in December. Jake Paul is charismatic and has a huge following, but if the fight is fully competitive, hes in danger. Thats why its believable theres some kind of secret arrangement: Ill hold back, miss shots, and avoid full-force punches. One clean hit from Joshua could easily break Pauls jaw, knock him out, or put him in serious trouble. If that occurs, it turns into a freak show. Anyone with a sense of the sport knows Joshuas power.

McGuigan is not alone in his doubts. Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs) is not the first heavyweight to face Paul (12-1, 7 KOs). Last year, Paul went eight rounds with former WBC champion Mike Tyson in a fight widely criticized as a spectacle, with Tyson hardly engaging, leading to accusations of the bout being staged. McGuigan suggests the upcoming fight could follow a similar pattern.

Analysis: Assessing the Joshua vs. Paul Matchup

The upcoming fight between Joshua and Jake Paul raises significant questions within the boxing community. Legendary featherweight champion Barry McGuigan has highlighted a clear mismatch in skill and power levels, noting that Joshua’s experience and knockout ability vastly exceed Paul’s record and previous opponents.

McGuigan points out that Paul, who previously faced mid-tier fighters and suffered a defeat to Tommy Fury, is stepping into the ring against a proven heavyweight capable of dismantling opponents like Francis Ngannou. The former champion suggests that, given the disparities, a behind-the-scenes agreement may influence the fight, potentially limiting the risk for Paul.

From a statistical and competitive perspective, Paul enters the fight as a +550 underdog. Historical precedent, including his bout against an aged Mike Tyson, shows a pattern where Paul’s high-profile fights can lean toward spectacle rather than fully competitive encounters. This context underlines concerns about fighter safety and the likelihood of the bout being carefully managed rather than purely athletic.

Ultimately, the fight presents a scenario where Joshua’s superior power and experience dominate expectations. Analysts and former champions alike anticipate that if the fight proceeds without restrictions, Paul faces a serious risk of injury, reinforcing debates about matchmaking and safety in high-profile boxing events.

Sources:

• Boxing insider suggests ‘undisclosed agreement’ may keep Anthony Joshua from murdering Jake Paul — ‘Ease off, miss shots’

Author: Olivia Parker
Olivia Parker is a journalist and editor with over 8 years in media. She focuses on culture, arts, and social issues, skilled in feature writing and critical reviews.