Frank Warren Warns Jake Paul: Don’t Expect the Same Advantage as Against Mike Tyson When Facing Anthony Joshua!

The world of boxing thrives on spectacle. But sometimes, the gap between hype and reality becomes impossible to ignore. Recently, promoter Frank Warren addressed the ongoing chatter surrounding a potential fight between Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua, and he didn’t hold back. With social media buzzing and fans imagining fantasy bouts, Warren made it clear: Jake Paul isn’t Mike Tyson, and Anthony Joshua is not an easy payday. His warning comes at a time when celebrity boxing continues to blur the lines between sport and entertainment—and Warren wants to remind everyone where the real fight game lives.

Jake Paul’s rise in boxing: hype or heavyweight ambition?

Jake Paul, the YouTuber-turned-boxer, has undoubtedly changed the way combat sports approach marketing, promotion, and cross-platform stardom. With millions of followers and headline-grabbing antics, Paul has transitioned from influencer to pay-per-view attraction. His wins over MMA fighters like Tyron Woodley and Nate Diaz—though not seasoned boxers—proved he could survive in the ring and entertain. He also gained credit for training seriously and committing to boxing beyond the gimmick. However, many believe his entire career has been carefully curated to avoid real danger, especially from experienced boxers with legitimate knockout power. Frank Warren, who’s spent decades promoting world champions, appreciates Paul’s hustle but isn’t buying into the idea that he belongs in the ring with a former unified heavyweight champion like Anthony Joshua. “He’s a good promoter… a funny guy,” Warren said of Paul, noting his comedic challenge to Joshua as more entertainment than threat. But in terms of actual competition, Warren was firm: “It’s a massive mismatch in weight, and there’s no getting around that.”

Frank Warren’s brutal truth: Anthony Joshua isn’t Mike Tyson

Frank Warren’s comments carried more than sarcasm. He was pointing out an obvious but overlooked fact: Mike Tyson, at 58, is well past his prime and hasn’t fought professionally in nearly two decades. A rumored exhibition with Jake Paul could make sense from a marketing angle, even if it borders on absurdity. In contrast, Anthony Joshua is a powerful, conditioned, and battle-tested heavyweight in his prime—or at least still operating near the top of his game. Joshua’s last fight saw him brutally stop Daniel Dubois in five rounds, reasserting his strength and skill at the elite level. Warren emphasized the difference in opponent quality and physical threat. “Joshua is a young man, a real athlete,” he said. “That’s not Tyson at 58. Jake Paul can’t think the same tactics will apply. He won’t have any of the advantages he might enjoy with Mike.” Tyson, despite his legacy, has limitations now—speed, stamina, and reflexes fade with age. Joshua, on the other hand, hits hard, moves well, and is driven by legacy. Jake Paul facing Tyson is entertainment. Jake Paul facing Joshua is, quite frankly, dangerous.

Boxing legitimacy vs. celebrity spectacle

The continued appeal of celebrity boxing has raised concerns within the boxing community. Purists argue that stars like Jake Paul undermine the sport’s legitimacy by skipping amateur development, fighting aging MMA fighters, and using YouTube fame to bypass traditional ranking systems. On the flip side, promoters and fans can’t ignore the massive revenue these fights generate. Paul has brought new eyes to boxing and even invested in promoting female fighters like Amanda Serrano. Still, Frank Warren’s criticism reflects a core concern: at what point does the spectacle stop, and the real boxing begin? “It’s a big ask for Jake to beat him,” Warren noted. “It’s not just entertainment anymore if he’s stepping into the ring with a real heavyweight contender.” While fights against former UFC stars or aged legends like Tyson offer a degree of safety and spectacle, jumping into the ring with a peak-performance Anthony Joshua raises the stakes—and not in Paul’s favor. Warren’s warning is as much for Paul’s team as it is for fans. There’s a difference between an event and a fight.

Eddie Hearn’s response: short and savage

Eddie Hearn, who has promoted Joshua throughout most of his career, also chimed in on the idea of Jake Paul stepping up. When asked how long Paul might last against Joshua, Hearn’s response was cutting and to the point: “Well, it depends. I mean, he can run around for a round. He might last… but once AJ lands, the fight’s over.” It’s a brutally honest assessment from a promoter who knows just how powerful Joshua is. Hearn understands the entertainment side of the business better than most, having also worked with KSI and Logan Paul. But when it comes to boxing at the championship level, he draws the line. “Jake is doing great with his career,” Hearn added, “but he has to stay in his lane.” That lane doesn’t include fighting former heavyweight champions in their prime. Hearn’s words, paired with Warren’s, form a rare moment of unity in British boxing: Jake Paul’s ambitions must meet reality.

Jake Paul’s business genius—and boxing ceiling

No one doubts that Jake Paul is smart. His team has built a multi-million-dollar empire by fusing entertainment with boxing. He’s created a new path for athletes, content creators, and influencers. His Most Valuable Promotions brand is reshaping how fights are made, promoted, and monetized. But as Frank Warren pointed out, clever business moves don’t translate to beating a knockout artist like Joshua. Paul’s true boxing ceiling may already be in view. He can beat aging MMA stars and influencers. He can even hold his own with low-tier professional boxers. But the heavyweight elite? That’s a different universe. Paul walks around at cruiserweight, while Joshua is a natural 240-pound heavyweight with Olympic pedigree and years of experience against world champions. There’s a reason weight classes exist. There’s a reason real fighters respect the gap between prospects and champions.

Will the fight happen?

Despite Frank Warren’s blunt assessment, the boxing world thrives on unpredictability. If enough money is on the table, almost any fight can be made. Tyson Fury fought Francis Ngannou. Floyd Mayweather boxed Logan Paul. Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua, while absurd on paper, could happen in the right financial and broadcast scenario. But make no mistake—it won’t be sanctioned as a real test. It will be spectacle first, sport second. Frank Warren believes that even if the bout gets greenlit, Jake Paul’s chances remain slim to none. “It’s just a mismatch. I don’t even see how it gets sanctioned properly unless it’s an exhibition,” he said. So while Warren doesn’t rule out the fight happening, he firmly rejects the idea that it would be competitive.

Final thoughts: when dreams clash with reality

Jake Paul has proven he can generate headlines, sell fights, and stir controversy. But Frank Warren’s warning highlights a critical line in boxing—where dreams clash with physical reality. Anthony Joshua isn’t a brand experiment. He’s a real heavyweight with a real punch, real pedigree, and real hunger. Jake Paul might be clever, brave, and good for the sport’s business side. But stepping into the ring with a man like Joshua isn’t about clout—it’s about consequences. If Paul wants to challenge Tyson in a carefully controlled exhibition, that’s understandable. But Joshua? That’s not fantasy matchmaking. That’s a public safety risk. Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn agree: Jake Paul can joke all he wants, but the sport of boxing demands respect, and facing a prime Anthony Joshua is not where entertainment meets ambition—it’s where reality delivers its final blow.