American boxing heavyweight contender Jermaine Franklin has delivered a string of strong words while sharing his thoughts on the upcoming fight between YouTuber turned professional boxer Jake Paul and former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.
The bout is set to take place on December 19 at the Kaseya Centre in Miami with each fighter set to earn at least $50 million. The bout will be broadcast on streaming platform Netflix.
Per the rules of the bout, the heavyweight fight will be fought across eight rounds with each fighter directed to use 10 ounce gloves.
The decision by Joshua to fight Paul, who has limited fight experience as a cruiserweight, has split opinions sharply and Jermaine Franklin waded into the controversy with a stinging criticism.
“I think it’s rubbish. I understand it’s for money, so it is what it is.”
Jermaine Franklin Photo Courtesy: Getty Images
“I don’t think it’s needed. I understand Jake Paul brings money into the sport but boxing’s got to stop letting him do all this” Franklin said to Sky Sports.
USA’s Jake Paul fights during his cruiserweight boxing match against Mexico’s Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
Paul defeated 58 year old former boxing heavyweight champion Mike Tyson last year; Tyson earned a reported fee of $20 million.
Jake Paul, left, and Mike Tyson during their heavyweight bout (Photo By Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
32 year old Franklin is set to face fast rising talent Moses Itauma on January 24 in Manchester. Joshua beat Franklin via a unanimous decision win in 2023.
Moses Itauma (left) in a face off with Jermaine Franklin (right) Photo Courtesy: Getty Images