Dana White, UFC’s CEO, clearly does not think Jake Paul would fare well in a boxing match against Anthony Joshua. Representatives for boxers reportedly are finalizing a deal to fight in Miami in December.
“Um, that’s a (expletive) bad idea,’’ White said when asked about he prospective fight during a press conference after UFC 322 was held in New York Saturday, Nov. 15. “That’s a bad idea.
“But let me tell you what, a lot of people will watch that one.’’
Will you watch it, a reporter asked.
“Sure,’’ White said. “You know what everyone’s tuning in for on that one. And I think everyone’s going to get what they’ve finally been waiting for.’’
White clearly is among those waiting on Paul to get knocked out. Paul has repeatedly criticized White allegedly underpaying UFC fighters and has become a polarizing figure in boxing.
Unless the boxing match is an exhibition, the 6-foot-6 Joshua would present a massive challenge to the 6-1 Paul, who has never stepped into the ring with someone of Joshua’s caliber.
Joshua, 36, is a two-time former heavyweight champion who has weighed in at 250 pounds or more for his last five fights.
Paul, 28, typically fights as a cruiserweight, which has a 200-pound maximum at weigh-in. He has fought as a heavyweight just once, in his unanimous-decision victory over Mike Tyson when Paul weighed in at 227 pounds.
But not everyone thinks Paul will get slaughtered against the British boxer who won a gold medal at the 2012 Olympics.