Fans believe Paul vs. Joshua is ‘scripted’

Growing doubts around a blockbuster bout

The upcoming heavyweight fight between Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul has ignited intense debate among boxing fans, many of whom are openly sceptical about the legitimacy of the matchup.

Joshua, a former two time world heavyweight champion, is set to face Paul, a social media personality turned professional boxer, in a contest that will be streamed globally on Netflix. According to reporting by The Independent, the pairing has divided opinion, with critics struggling to reconcile Joshua’s elite pedigree with Paul’s unconventional rise in the sport.

For some fans, the concern is not simply whether Joshua will win, but whether the fight will unfold as a genuine competitive contest at all.

Why some fans believe scripting is possible

Concerns about scripting stem from the nature of modern crossover boxing rather than from evidence tied specifically to this fight. Paul’s previous bouts have often involved older or retired opponents, unusually high purses, and extensive promotional build up, all of which have fuelled suspicion among traditional fans.

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According to The Independent, critics argue that when events are financed by streaming platforms and promoted as spectacles, commercial interests can appear to outweigh sporting ones. The belief is that both fighters could benefit financially from a controlled outcome that avoids embarrassment, serious injury, or an early finish.

These concerns have been amplified by the rise of celebrity boxing and exhibition matches, where outcomes are not always governed by the same expectations as elite professional contests.

Rules confirm a fully sanctioned contest

Despite the speculation, the Joshua versus Paul fight is officially sanctioned as a professional bout. Knockouts are permitted, standard 10oz gloves will be used, and the contest is scheduled for eight three minute rounds.

One disclosed condition is that Joshua must not exceed 245lb at the weigh in the day before the fight. According to The Independent, there are no contractual restrictions limiting aggression, punch selection, or stoppages.

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Under boxing regulations, any pre arranged outcome would constitute criminal fraud and lead to lifetime bans, fines, and potential prison sentences.

Legal threats over rigging claims

Paul’s promotional company, Most Valuable Promotions, has taken an aggressive stance against accusations of fight fixing.

Nakisa Bidarian, Paul’s business partner at MVP, addressed the issue in comments to journalist Ariel Helwani, saying, “When you definitively state that Jake is putting on staged or rigged fights, that’s just defamation, and you’re causing substantial damage to his business, to MVP’s business, and it’s something that’s 100 per cent not true.”

According to The Independent, Bidarian said legal action was being considered against individuals making such claims.

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Morgan walks back earlier remarks

Broadcaster Piers Morgan added fuel to the debate earlier this year before later clarifying his position.

On X, Morgan explained that his criticism was aimed at Paul’s choice of opponents rather than the integrity of the fights themselves, stating that he did not intend to suggest any illegal or predetermined outcomes.

Hearn insists there is no script

Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has dismissed suggestions of a scripted fight in the strongest terms.

Speaking to The Stomping Ground, Hearn said, “Is there a script? Yeah, there is a script, we come out and try to knock him out clean, out cold, as soon as possible.”

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Hearn stressed that scripting a professional fight would be illegal and said neither he nor Joshua would ever agree to an exhibition presented as a sanctioned contest. According to The Independent, he also warned that Paul would face real danger if he attempted to fight aggressively.

A clash shaped by money and legitimacy

Paul enters the bout with a 12 and 1 professional record, including wins over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr and a points victory against 58 year old Mike Tyson in November 2024. His only defeat came against Tommy Fury in 2023.

Joshua brings a 28 and 4 record and is coming off a stoppage loss to Daniel Dubois in September 2024. Earlier in his career, he won Olympic gold and held world heavyweight titles twice, defeating fighters such as Wladimir Klitschko, Joseph Parker and Dillian Whyte.

According to The Independent, the fight sits at the intersection of sport and spectacle. While promoters argue that regulation makes scripting impossible, sceptics see a commercial event designed to maximise attention and revenue, leaving the burden of proof inside the ring.

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Sources: The Independent