New York: Jake Paul reportedly received acceptance from Terence Crawford to step into the ring, but ultimately finalised a blockbuster showdown with Anthony Joshua — and now we know why.
Paul and Joshua are scheduled to meet in an eight-round sanctioned professional bout in Miami on December 19, marking one of the most surprising matchups of the year.
How the Fight Came Together
The matchup materialised after Jake Paul’s originally scheduled exhibition fight with Gervonta “Tank” Davis — set for November 14 — was cancelled following domestic violence allegations against Davis. With the event scrapped, Paul’s team quickly began searching for a new opponent.
According to Paul’s longtime business partner Nakisa Bidarian, as many as 30 fighters expressed willingness to step in — including newly crowned undisputed super-middleweight champion Terence Crawford.
“And there were probably 30 fighters who accepted to fight Jake,” Bidarian told TMZ Sports.
“AJ was one of them, Crawford was another… and AJ is the one we reached an agreement with. Yes, 100% [Crawford wanted the fight].”
Why Joshua Was Chosen Over Crawford
Bidarian explained that Paul’s camp chose Joshua because the matchup, while dangerous, was viewed as more winnable than a fight against Gervonta Davis.
“It’s a dangerous fight for Jake, but it’s a more winnable fight for Jake than Gervonta Davis,” Bidarian said.
He added that while Davis is smaller in size, his attributes pose a far greater technical threat:
“Tank is quick, fast, precise, super skilled, and has knockout power.”
“AJ is big, strong, with knockout power — but he’s definitely slower than Tank and less skilled.”
The selection highlights the unique strategic calculations Paul’s team makes when matching him with elite-level opponents, balancing risk with marketability.
As the December 19 date approaches, the Paul vs Joshua matchup continues to draw massive global intrigue, given the stark contrast between their boxing experience and physical attributes.
