Did AJ carry Jake Paul ?

Did AJ carry Jake Paul ?

Yes
28
43%
No
34
52%
Unsure
3
5%
 
Total votes: 65

tigermoth87
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Re: Did AJ carry Jake Paul ?

Post by tigermoth87 »

banjo wrote: 20 Dec 2025, 09:31 No other sport would allow this shit, if some youtube prick turned up to MotoGP, they'd be told piss off you're a retard and you'll die.
Yep, the past few years have turned boxing into a complete joke. Especially since saps, even saps on here, are actually buying into it and believing these fights are legit.

All started with Floyd Mayweather carrying Conor McGregor.
Frostieballs
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Re: Did AJ carry Jake Paul ?

Post by Frostieballs »

keithmoonhangover wrote: 20 Dec 2025, 09:55
Frostieballs wrote: 20 Dec 2025, 09:53 I think it was a legit fight, but Joshua played with his a food a bit and a bit hesitant to pull the trigger.

Took his time, took the opportunity to shake of some ring rust, got the job done.

What I will say, despite how much I dislike him, is that Paul is a game bastard.

Seems to be some kind of adrenaline junkie who enjoyed feeling the full force of a legit heavyweight.
Pretty much agree with everything you just said Mr Frostieballs.
It’s rare for anyone to agree with anything I say on here :-)

I will also add, that both are massive winners after last night.

The US public (well some) will see AJ as a killer after last night!
keithmoonhangover
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Re: Did AJ carry Jake Paul ?

Post by keithmoonhangover »

tigermoth87 wrote: 20 Dec 2025, 09:56
banjo wrote: 20 Dec 2025, 09:31 No other sport would allow this shit, if some youtube prick turned up to MotoGP, they'd be told piss off you're a retard and you'll die.
Yep, the past few years have turned boxing into a complete joke. Especially since saps, even saps on here, are actually buying into it and believing these fights are legit.

All started with Floyd Mayweather carrying Conor McGregor.
It's been happening since the Jack Johnson days and before, but back then and all the way through to recently they were classed as exhibitions. I have no problem with Ali-Inoki, Jack Johnson-Frank Gotch, Dempsey-George Godfrey etc, because they were exhibitions. Mayweather-McGregor and Paul-Joshua being sanctioned is unforgivable.
Controversial
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Re: Did AJ carry Jake Paul ?

Post by Controversial »

banjo wrote: 20 Dec 2025, 09:31 No other sport would allow this shit, if some youtube prick turned up to MotoGP, they'd be told piss off you're a retard and you'll die.
I guess it depends how you look at it. HWs pad their records out all the time fighting guys in worse shape and less skilled than JP, are these guys more worthy of being called a "pro boxer" than JP is? He's been training and boxing for 8+ years and has access to the best of everything, trainers, S&C coaches, dieticians, sparring partners, equipment etc.., things that probably 99% of fighters would dream of having and he gets himself into good shape. At some point the YouTuber tag became irrelevant, he appears to be more dedicated to boxing than Dave Allen was for many years.
keithmoonhangover
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Re: Did AJ carry Jake Paul ?

Post by keithmoonhangover »

Controversial wrote: 20 Dec 2025, 10:08
banjo wrote: 20 Dec 2025, 09:31 No other sport would allow this shit, if some youtube prick turned up to MotoGP, they'd be told piss off you're a retard and you'll die.
I guess it depends how you look at it. HWs pad their records out all the time fighting guys in worse shape and less skilled than JP, are these guys more worthy at being called a "pro boxer" than JP is? He's been training and boxing for 8+ years and has access to the best of everything, trainers, S&C coaches, dieticians, sparring partners, equipment etc.., things that probably 99% of fighters would dream of having and he gets himself into good shape. At some point the YouTube tag became irrelevant, he appears to be more dedicated to boxing than Dave Allen was for many years.
Yeah, but Joshua is a proven heavyweight contender. It's a while since any of the top guys fought someone that poor while still near their prime. I suppose Fury-Sefer Seferi would be an example. Fury was coming off a layoff, but that was a absolutely terrible matchmaking. I can't think of another top guy coming off a layoff in the history of boxing who came back against such a complete dumpling.
stac
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Re: Did AJ carry Jake Paul ?

Post by stac »

Clearly ....if he didn't he is finished .latter might be true ...
Deserter
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Re: Did AJ carry Jake Paul ?

Post by Deserter »

Controversial wrote: 20 Dec 2025, 10:08
banjo wrote: 20 Dec 2025, 09:31 No other sport would allow this shit, if some youtube prick turned up to MotoGP, they'd be told piss off you're a retard and you'll die.
I guess it depends how you look at it. HWs pad their records out all the time fighting guys in worse shape and less skilled than JP, are these guys more worthy of being called a "pro boxer" than JP is? He's been training and boxing for 8+ years and has access to the best of everything, trainers, S&C coaches, dieticians, sparring partners, equipment etc.., things that probably 99% of fighters would dream of having and he gets himself into good shape. At some point the YouTuber tag became irrelevant, he appears to be more dedicated to boxing than Dave Allen was for many years.
That's a false equivalence. If you want to treat JP as a boxer then in this fight you had a former world heavyweight champion who has won 90% of his fights via KO against a novice cruiserweight who had previously lost to Tommy Fury.
By any normal measure that constitutes a dangerous mismatch.
gilgamesh
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Re: Did AJ carry Jake Paul ?

Post by gilgamesh »

Yes

The first red flag to me that something was off was when I saw DraftKings offering bonuses for anyone that bet Joshua to win by KO in the first 2 rounds. There's no real reason why they would've offered that kinda bonus unless they KNEW it wasn't going to happen.
gilgamesh
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Re: Did AJ carry Jake Paul ?

Post by gilgamesh »

Boxerbeetle wrote: 20 Dec 2025, 08:15
tigermoth87 wrote: 20 Dec 2025, 07:47 You only have to watch the fight from where Paul was gassed in like Round 4 with his arms by the side, , open for a hit and falling over every 30 seconds and AJ kept holding back. Any other fighter in the world, and AJ would have put them to sleep. not hold off.

He clearly had orders to drag the fight out as long as he feasibly could.
Yep there were a few examples of that, plus the tactics were a bit suspect, only throwing jabs and telegraphed big rights rather than bodyshots / hooks which would have undoubtedly been better choices. I def wouldn’t say it was ‘fixed’ but enough evidence to show Joshua wasn’t giving 100%, similar to how Floyd took it easy on McGregor in the first half of their fight.
There were even a few times when he went to throw a right hand, and he slowed it down to make sure Jake Paul ducked, and it went over his head or something.

Several of his missed right hands weren't thrown with real force.
Kilburn
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Re: Did AJ carry Jake Paul ?

Post by Kilburn »

gilgamesh wrote: 20 Dec 2025, 10:57 Yes

The first red flag to me that something was off was when I saw DraftKings offering bonuses for anyone that bet Joshua to win by KO in the first 2 rounds. There's no real reason why they would've offered that kinda bonus unless they KNEW it wasn't going to happen.
Surely they weren't alone in thinking that JP would be on his bike and a bit more, against a notoriously slow starter.

There was a lot of "AJ will knock him out with his first jab etc" talk going around, which was rightfully not taken seriously.
gilgamesh
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Re: Did AJ carry Jake Paul ?

Post by gilgamesh »

Kilburn wrote: 20 Dec 2025, 11:02
gilgamesh wrote: 20 Dec 2025, 10:57 Yes

The first red flag to me that something was off was when I saw DraftKings offering bonuses for anyone that bet Joshua to win by KO in the first 2 rounds. There's no real reason why they would've offered that kinda bonus unless they KNEW it wasn't going to happen.
Surely they weren't alone in thinking that JP would be on his bike and a bit more, against a notoriously slow starter.

There was a lot of "AJ will knock him out with his first jab etc" talk going around, which was rightfully not taken seriously.
Didn't have to be the first jab, but the first "cutting the ring off, and throw a combination" surely would've ended it.

He didn't bother attempting that at all until about Round 5.

Even with Jake Paul running, he was wide open to be hit on multiple occasions. Joshua just chose not to punch because that would've made whoever wanted him to carry Paul upset. I strongly suspect it's someone from DraftKings or something like that, that sweetened the pot a little for AJ if he carried the guy.
tigermoth87
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Re: Did AJ carry Jake Paul ?

Post by tigermoth87 »

keithmoonhangover wrote: 20 Dec 2025, 10:07

It's been happening since the Jack Johnson days and before, but back then and all the way through to recently they were classed as exhibitions. I have no problem with Ali-Inoki, Jack Johnson-Frank Gotch, Dempsey-George Godfrey etc, because they were exhibitions. Mayweather-McGregor and Paul-Joshua being sanctioned is unforgivable.
Yeah, those ones like Ali-Inoki were never actual boxing fights. They were pretty much sideshow performances so they're fine. Inoki wasn't gonna appear on Ali's record as an actual opponent. Mayweather-McGregor was a clear carry job. I am surprised so many people were so accepting of it to be honest. It is obvious Mayweather was treating it as a sparring session.
gilgamesh
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Re: Did AJ carry Jake Paul ?

Post by gilgamesh »

keithmoonhangover wrote: 20 Dec 2025, 10:07
It's been happening since the Jack Johnson days and before, but back then and all the way through to recently they were classed as exhibitions. I have no problem with Ali-Inoki, Jack Johnson-Frank Gotch, Dempsey-George Godfrey etc, because they were exhibitions. Mayweather-McGregor and Paul-Joshua being sanctioned is unforgivable.
Ali and Inoki didn't box though. I'm not sure what Johnson and Gotch did, I assume some sorta Boxing/Wrestling hybrid?

Whenever Archie Moore boxed Pro Wrestler Mike Dibease, it went on his record as an official bout. I know there's been some fights where somebody has taken on a Strongman as well, those would certainly have to be considered novelty bouts, but they've been official bouts as well.

But ultimately, I'd say this win does about as much for Joshua's career as George Foreman's thing with The Toronto 5 did for his. Except Joshua made WAYYYYYY more money for this :lol:

So yeah. Doesn't do much, if anything for his legacy, but it boosts the living sh*t out of his bank account, and probably doesn't hurt him as far as marketing the Fury-Joshua bout.
keithmoonhangover
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Re: Did AJ carry Jake Paul ?

Post by keithmoonhangover »

gilgamesh wrote: 20 Dec 2025, 10:57 Yes

The first red flag to me that something was off was when I saw DraftKings offering bonuses for anyone that bet Joshua to win by KO in the first 2 rounds. There's no real reason why they would've offered that kinda bonus unless they KNEW it wasn't going to happen.
Gotta disagree. it's all about attracting new customers. All the bookies do it. Last night my Facebook was filled with ads for bookmakers offering crazy odds on Joshua stoppage and round best etc. When you read the small print, it's all free bets and stuff.
Kilburn
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Re: Did AJ carry Jake Paul ?

Post by Kilburn »

gilgamesh wrote: 20 Dec 2025, 11:04
Kilburn wrote: 20 Dec 2025, 11:02
gilgamesh wrote: 20 Dec 2025, 10:57 Yes

The first red flag to me that something was off was when I saw DraftKings offering bonuses for anyone that bet Joshua to win by KO in the first 2 rounds. There's no real reason why they would've offered that kinda bonus unless they KNEW it wasn't going to happen.
Surely they weren't alone in thinking that JP would be on his bike and a bit more, against a notoriously slow starter.

There was a lot of "AJ will knock him out with his first jab etc" talk going around, which was rightfully not taken seriously.
Didn't have to be the first jab, but the first "cutting the ring off, and throw a combination" surely would've ended it.

He didn't bother attempting that at all until about Round 5.

Even with Jake Paul running, he was wide open to be hit on multiple occasions. Joshua just chose not to punch because that would've made whoever wanted him to carry Paul upset. I strongly suspect it's someone from DraftKings or something like that, that sweetened the pot a little for AJ if he carried the guy.
If we were talking about a Bowe, Holyfield, Lewis etc I'd be tripping over myself to agree. They'd be looking to have it done within a round.

But this is Anthony Joshua. He doesn't have that sort of confidence in his engine to just let punches go at such a mobile target. Such was JP's approach, the kid really wasn't going to be too easy to hit when fresh.

I suspect the bookies knew exactly what they were doing with those odds. They don't usually go with emotion.
keithmoonhangover
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Re: Did AJ carry Jake Paul ?

Post by keithmoonhangover »

gilgamesh wrote: 20 Dec 2025, 11:12
keithmoonhangover wrote: 20 Dec 2025, 10:07
It's been happening since the Jack Johnson days and before, but back then and all the way through to recently they were classed as exhibitions. I have no problem with Ali-Inoki, Jack Johnson-Frank Gotch, Dempsey-George Godfrey etc, because they were exhibitions. Mayweather-McGregor and Paul-Joshua being sanctioned is unforgivable.
Ali and Inoki didn't box though. I'm not sure what Johnson and Gotch did, I assume some sorta Boxing/Wrestling hybrid?

Whenever Archie Moore boxed Pro Wrestler Mike Dibease, it went on his record as an official bout. I know there's been some fights where somebody has taken on a Strongman as well, those would certainly have to be considered novelty bouts, but they've been official bouts as well.

But ultimately, I'd say this win does about as much for Joshua's career as George Foreman's thing with The Toronto 5 did for his. Except Joshua made WAYYYYYY more money for this :lol:

So yeah. Doesn't do much, if anything for his legacy, but it boosts the living sh*t out of his bank account, and probably doesn't hurt him as far as marketing the Fury-Joshua bout.
:lol:
Sweet Dick Willie
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Re: Did AJ carry Jake Paul ?

Post by Sweet Dick Willie »

I don't think AJ carried Paul. Why would a multi millionaire make himself look like an idiot for a few more millions? He did look like a fool, but that's just because how the fight went. Boxing is a funny sport sometimes and sometimes an olympic gold medalist can't knock out a youtuber in 30 seconds in boxing.
Controversial
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Re: Did AJ carry Jake Paul ?

Post by Controversial »

keithmoonhangover wrote: 20 Dec 2025, 10:18
Controversial wrote: 20 Dec 2025, 10:08
banjo wrote: 20 Dec 2025, 09:31 No other sport would allow this shit, if some youtube prick turned up to MotoGP, they'd be told piss off you're a retard and you'll die.
I guess it depends how you look at it. HWs pad their records out all the time fighting guys in worse shape and less skilled than JP, are these guys more worthy at being called a "pro boxer" than JP is? He's been training and boxing for 8+ years and has access to the best of everything, trainers, S&C coaches, dieticians, sparring partners, equipment etc.., things that probably 99% of fighters would dream of having and he gets himself into good shape. At some point the YouTube tag became irrelevant, he appears to be more dedicated to boxing than Dave Allen was for many years.
Yeah, but Joshua is a proven heavyweight contender. It's a while since any of the top guys fought someone that poor while still near their prime. I suppose Fury-Sefer Seferi would be an example. Fury was coming off a layoff, but that was a absolutely terrible matchmaking. I can't think of another top guy coming off a layoff in the history of boxing who came back against such a complete dumpling.
Money talks. Not saying it's right but I would image any fighter in history would have taken the same offer if they were around today. But over the years plenty of average fighters have been thrown in way over their heads against fighters a lot better than AJ.

Peter McNeeley with his very padded record consisting of fighters making their debuts, with no wins or on long losing streaks. He was thrown in as Mike Tysons comeback opponent.
keithmoonhangover
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Re: Did AJ carry Jake Paul ?

Post by keithmoonhangover »

gilgamesh wrote: 20 Dec 2025, 11:12
keithmoonhangover wrote: 20 Dec 2025, 10:07
It's been happening since the Jack Johnson days and before, but back then and all the way through to recently they were classed as exhibitions. I have no problem with Ali-Inoki, Jack Johnson-Frank Gotch, Dempsey-George Godfrey etc, because they were exhibitions. Mayweather-McGregor and Paul-Joshua being sanctioned is unforgivable.
Ali and Inoki didn't box though. I'm not sure what Johnson and Gotch did, I assume some sorta Boxing/Wrestling hybrid?

I should have mentioned Ali against the NFL guys or Larry Holmes against the police guys.
gilgamesh
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Re: Did AJ carry Jake Paul ?

Post by gilgamesh »

I mean ultimately whether he carried him or not doesn't really really matter.

In the end. He DID knock him out. He DID break his jaw, and he gave everyone the result they came to see. It just took longer to get there than it should've.
keithmoonhangover
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Re: Did AJ carry Jake Paul ?

Post by keithmoonhangover »

Controversial wrote: 20 Dec 2025, 11:24
keithmoonhangover wrote: 20 Dec 2025, 10:18
Controversial wrote: 20 Dec 2025, 10:08

I guess it depends how you look at it. HWs pad their records out all the time fighting guys in worse shape and less skilled than JP, are these guys more worthy at being called a "pro boxer" than JP is? He's been training and boxing for 8+ years and has access to the best of everything, trainers, S&C coaches, dieticians, sparring partners, equipment etc.., things that probably 99% of fighters would dream of having and he gets himself into good shape. At some point the YouTube tag became irrelevant, he appears to be more dedicated to boxing than Dave Allen was for many years.
Yeah, but Joshua is a proven heavyweight contender. It's a while since any of the top guys fought someone that poor while still near their prime. I suppose Fury-Sefer Seferi would be an example. Fury was coming off a layoff, but that was a absolutely terrible matchmaking. I can't think of another top guy coming off a layoff in the history of boxing who came back against such a complete dumpling.
Money talks. Not saying it's right but I would image any fighter in history would have taken the same offer if they were around today. But over the years plenty of average fighters have been thrown in way over their heads against fighters a lot better than AJ.

Peter McNeeley with his very padded record consisting of fighters making their debuts, with no wins or on long losing streaks. He was thrown in as Mike Tysons comeback opponent.
Yeah, but at least McNeeley was a heavyweight. The other two were cruisers.
Kilburn
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Re: Did AJ carry Jake Paul ?

Post by Kilburn »

The other week I got set to do the washing up, and thought I know, I'll put my phone on the windowsill and watch some footage of Ben Whitaker's upcoming opponent. I came away thinking this guy was decent, a more polished version of Liam Cameron, someone who is going to ask some serious questions. Basically I conned myself because I wanted Whitaker to have to answer the questions that he refused to answer in the first Cameron fight. Then I came on Boxrec and started making semi-bold predictions about this opponent. After Whitaker walked through the guy with ease, I owned up straight away. I got it completely wrong.

No offence to anyone but the doubling down on this scripted malarkey from last night, comes across almost Donald Trump-esque. Anthony Joshua is a big lump, a gold medallist, a two time belt holder. But he is by no means a great heavyweight. Let's just be honest about it.
gilgamesh
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Re: Did AJ carry Jake Paul ?

Post by gilgamesh »

keithmoonhangover wrote: 20 Dec 2025, 11:29
Controversial wrote: 20 Dec 2025, 11:24
keithmoonhangover wrote: 20 Dec 2025, 10:18

Yeah, but Joshua is a proven heavyweight contender. It's a while since any of the top guys fought someone that poor while still near their prime. I suppose Fury-Sefer Seferi would be an example. Fury was coming off a layoff, but that was a absolutely terrible matchmaking. I can't think of another top guy coming off a layoff in the history of boxing who came back against such a complete dumpling.
Money talks. Not saying it's right but I would image any fighter in history would have taken the same offer if they were around today. But over the years plenty of average fighters have been thrown in way over their heads against fighters a lot better than AJ.

Peter McNeeley with his very padded record consisting of fighters making their debuts, with no wins or on long losing streaks. He was thrown in as Mike Tysons comeback opponent.
Yeah, but at least McNeeley was a heavyweight. The other two were cruisers.
Jake Paul was a Heavyweight last night.

I don't recall the weight of Seferi, but yeah he was really small. I do believe that technically you're allowed to compete as a Heavyweight if you're anything over 180 pounds actually. I saw a fight earlier this year with a 270 pound opponent up against a guy weighing 191 or so.
Controversial
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Re: Did AJ carry Jake Paul ?

Post by Controversial »

Recent decades the best HWs were once CWs, Holyfield and Usyk. Of course it was a huge mismatch but how often do we see prospects flattening fighters that have almost zero chance of winning.
gilgamesh
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Re: Did AJ carry Jake Paul ?

Post by gilgamesh »

Controversial wrote: 20 Dec 2025, 11:54 Recent decades the best HWs were once CWs, Holyfield and Usyk. Of course it was a huge mismatch but how often do we see prospects flattening fighters that have almost zero chance of winning.
Throughout the 20th century. MOST Heavyweight Champions would be Cruiserweights. Particularly large Heavyweights at the Top of the division is a fairly recent trend.

Even Foreman who was a Big Man in the 1970's era, was only like 225 pounds in his prime.
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