Anthony Joshua to fight YouTube star Jake Paul on December 19.

On December 19th, at Miami's Kaseya Center, Britain's Anthony Joshua, a former two-time unified heavyweight champion, is set to face off against the YouTube personality turned boxer, Jake Paul. This anticipated clash will feature eight three-minute rounds, with both fighters wearing standard 10-ounce gloves. Joshua, at 36 years old, has weighed over 250 pounds in his last three bouts but must come in under 245 pounds for this particular fight.

Bunce didn't mince words, calling the fight "ridiculous" and labeling 28-year-old American Paul as nothing more than a "novice." However, he fully understands the immense financial draw for Joshua, who is reportedly poised to earn a staggering £36.9 million ($50 million).

Recalling Paul's previous high-profile bout, Bunce told BBC Radio 5 Live, "Last November Jake Paul fought Mike Tyson and nearly broke the world." He highlighted the colossal viewership, stating, "They had something ridiculous like 300 million people watching on different channels and were paid something along those lines in dollars as well." Bunce was clear about the motivation behind the upcoming fight: "And that's the reason this fight is happening, let's get it right. AJ has been made an offer he simply couldn't refuse and he's accepted."

Expressing his support for boxers' earnings, Bunce affirmed, "I would not deny a single man or woman that boxes professionally a pound note, penny, a cent, a dime, the money for any fight." He further elaborated, "If AJ is being paid as handsomely as we're told, bear in mind he does a lot of work for the community with his foundation, if it spreads the love around and absolutely loads up his pockets, I've no problem with it."

Bunce also noted that Joshua is "still in talks" for a potential fight against fellow Briton Tyson Fury, suggesting the Paul fight, despite being an "obvious mismatch," will likely be "one of the final paydays" for the former champion. He emphasized the physical differences, explaining, "AJ will be at least six inches taller and he will be perhaps four stone heavier. He's an Olympic champion remember – we overlook that fact." Bunce continued to categorize Paul as "a terrific novice. He's a great novice in a weight division below – cruiserweight – and that's what he is: a novice. But he's a novice who conjures up these ridiculous fights."

Conversely, Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions and Paul's manager, expressed no safety concerns about the fight. "I don't think it's reckless in any way shape or form," he told BBC Sport, believing Paul is "in a much better position than a lot of fights which happen in boxing on a regular basis. I think he has a great shot." Bidarian analyzed Joshua, pointing out, "AJ is big, strong, but slower. He's more vulnerable to Jake's movement. In my mind this is more sanctionable than many fights in the sport of boxing."

However, former British middleweight Nick Blackwell, whose career was tragically cut short by a brain injury in a 2016 fight against Chris Eubank Jr., strongly disagrees with the fight, calling it "so dangerous." Speaking to BBC Newsbeat, Blackwell shared his personal anguish, stating he doesn't "want anyone to go through what I've been through" and fears Joshua will be "able to do what he wants" in the ring. Despite his profound personal objection, he acknowledged the widespread appeal this bout will generate. "He's going to earn a lot of money out of it and everyone's going to want to watch it," Blackwell conceded. "It's entertainment for everyone, a massive stage for them both, but I don't agree with it and the whole boxing world won't agree with it."