Ben Davison has once again spoken out as talks of Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul intensify.
Joshua’s trainer broke his silence when the potential clash started to gain traction on social media over two weeks ago.
Now Eddie Hearn has claimed Paul is the ‘front-runner’ to take on AJ, with other established, world-ranked opponents seemingly unavailable for what was originally scheduled as a December date following recovery from an elbow injury.
Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images
While it certainly wouldn’t be fans’ first choice of foes for Joshua to face, it wouldn’t be surprising given he has previously knocked out former UFC star Francis Ngannou, who had only one professional boxing fight to his name.
Anthony Joshua’s trainer believes the fight is ‘dangerous’ for Jake Paul
The difference between the clashes is that Ngannou had fought at the highest level in his discipline whilst beginning his career as a boxer at 22, whereas ‘El Gallo’ has only picked up the sport in recent years, fighting novices.
Davison was asked for his reaction to the news of his fighter potentially stepping in the ring with the influencer-turned-boxer, in what would be a big-money showdown.
Speaking to Ring Magazine, the trainer said: “What you just said is crazy, isn’t it? I think it’s very dangerous, isn’t it? This is a sport that we love, and I think we need to protect that.
“He’s one of the most dangerous guys in the world to go step in a ring with, we saw that with Ngannou. One of the most durable men on the planet in one of the toughest combat sports in the UFC.”
Before he was demolished in the second round by the Watford fighter, the pride of Cameroon had solidified his credibility by having a competitive fight with Tyson Fury, which went to a split decision.
Davison compared the idea of the bout to when Floyd Mayweather Jr stopped Conor McGregor in the tenth round of their crossover fight, because of the disparity in skill level for the money on the table.
He explained: “I think Floyd did it against McGregor, saying about robbing the bank.
“But at the same time, it’s different with Floyd. He’s not like someone like AJ that could take somebody’s head off.”
Jake Paul labelled a ‘legit boxer’ by a former UFC star who hits back at critics
While he may have just fought his most established name in Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, most within the sport still don’t see the youngest Paul brother as a legitimate boxer.
A career that began fighting then-fellow YouTubers, to retired MMA competitors, to now competing against ex-professionals or inactive boxers, it is hard to pin down his in-ring skill.
However, former UFC star Darren Till has come out in support of the 28-year-old as a legitimate fighter.
In an interview with SecondsOut, Till said: “Jake Paul hasn’t been a YouTuber for like 15 years.”
“He’s a professional. Well, not a professional. He is a legit boxer, he is trained by legit boxers, he trains like a boxer, he lives like a boxer, he breathes like a boxer.”
The ‘Gorilla’ has found a new home in crossover boxing since leaving Dana White’s promotion after his loss to Dricus Du Plessis in 2022.
His next bout is against a retired MMA champion in Luke Rockhold, who will clash at the end of August.