The highly anticipated boxing match between former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua and social media star Jake Paul has concluded, but not without sparking serious controversy. The fight, which ended with Joshua knocking out Paul in the sixth round, is now under scrutiny from prominent figures in combat sports who question its authenticity.
Sterling Leads Charge, Questions "Carrying" Paul
Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling has publicly raised doubts about the legitimacy of the bout's competitive nature. Sterling suggested there may have been an informal agreement between the two camps that influenced how the fight unfolded. "It makes me wonder, was there a bet on, let’s just carry Jake Paul to X amount of rounds?" Sterling questioned.
His concerns stem from observing Joshua's approach in the ring. According to Sterling, Joshua appeared to take it easy on Paul, deliberately pulling his punches and not aggressively cutting off the ring to finish the fight sooner. The bout saw a competitive start in the first two rounds before Joshua took control, ultimately leading to Paul suffering a broken jaw that required hospitalization and prompted the stoppage.
Adesanya Backs Sterling, Calls Fight "Weird & Scripted"
Sterling's skepticism found strong support from another former UFC champion, Israel Adesanya. Taking to social media, Adesanya echoed the sentiment, stating his honest thoughts were that "AJ carried Jake Paul to the sixth round." This powerful endorsement from a fellow elite fighter adds significant weight to the allegations.
Their comments have fueled a broader discussion among observers, with many labeling the high-profile event as "weird and scripted." Critics argue that the nature of the fight seemed more oriented towards entertainment than a pure athletic contest, despite professional boxing's strict regulations and oversight by sports commissions.
Massive Viewership Amidst Growing Controversy
Despite the controversy, or perhaps because of it, the fight proved to be a monumental commercial success. It accumulated a staggering over 33 million views on Netflix, securing the position of the No. 1-ranked program in 45 countries. This immense reach highlights the global draw of crossover boxing events, even as debates about their competitive integrity rage on.
Defenders of the fight's legitimacy point out that the contract did not compel Joshua to manage the rounds for any particular reason. However, the combined criticism from respected fighters like Sterling and Adesanya has cast a long shadow, leading many to assume the bout highlighted the stark contrast between Paul's relative inexperience and Joshua's seasoned professionalism. The discussion continues to dominate combat sports circles worldwide.
