Imagine the shockwaves if Jake Paul, the YouTuber-turned-boxer, knocks out the legendary Anthony Joshua. But is it boxing's biggest upset ever? Brace yourself for a controversial debate!
Nick Parkinson, a seasoned boxing reporter, delves into this intriguing question. On December 15, 2025, the boxing world witnessed a potential upset of seismic proportions. Jake Paul, with a record of 21-1 and 7 KOs, was never expected to challenge the two-time heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs). Joshua's resume is a stark contrast to Paul's, with eight world title wins and an Olympic gold medal to his name.
A victory for Paul would surpass the biggest upset of 2025, Romero's win over Garcia, and even eclipse historic surprises like Zivic over Armstrong in 1940, Turpin's triumph against Robinson in 1951, and Leonard's victory against Hagler in 1987. These were all world title fights, a level Paul has yet to reach at cruiserweight.
Paul's challenge is not just about skill; it's about size. He's stepping up to heavyweight to face Joshua, a leap that only the great Oleksandr Usyk has successfully made, and even he was a former undisputed world cruiserweight champion and Olympic gold medalist.
But Paul's fans argue that Joshua has been vulnerable to upsets before. In 2019, Andy Ruiz, seemingly out of shape, shocked the world by defeating Joshua. However, Ruiz was no stranger to the ring, having previously fought for the WBO world title.
Joshua regained his belts in a cautious rematch, but millions witnessed his defeat. Losing to Paul would be an even bigger blow, leaving a permanent scar on Joshua's career and reputation.
If Paul were to win, it would rank among the top 10 iconic upsets in heavyweight history. From Mike Tyson's fall to James 'Buster' Douglas in 1990 to Muhammad Ali's comeback against Sonny Liston in 1964, these upsets have defined boxing's rich narrative.
So, is a potential Paul-Joshua upset boxing's biggest? The debate rages on. What's your take? Is it a once-in-a-lifetime upset or an overhyped possibility?
