Boxing

Can Jake Paul pull off the biggest upset in boxing history?

Published

8 months ago

December 15, 2025

Author: Sean Crose

It would be the biggest upset in boxing history – yes, even bigger than James “Buster” Douglas’ victory over Mike Tyson over thirty years ago. Still, the chances that Jake Paul will defeat former world champion Anthony Joshua on Friday night are very slim. In fact, Joshua is bigger, stronger and probably faster than his brash American opponent. And let’s not even get started on experience. Joshua has faced who the up-to-date heavyweight is and has only lost a handful of times. Paul, on the other hand, recently defeated the unimpressive son of Julio Cesar Chavez. However, it is still boxing, a sport where anything can and often does happen. Paul may not have much of a chance against Joshua, but there’s always a slim chance.

Paul, a narrow but good fighter, keeps his left hand low, knows how to continue punching, works strenuous to maintain distance and knows how to work his body when the opportunity arises. That being said, Paul is not particularly quick, is flat-footed, and generally lacks the speed of a top-level fighter. Joshua, on the other hand, a gloved fist, knows how to get forward with his long reach and attack relentlessly. What’s more, the fighter known as AJ can time a shot like the best of them.

And when he hits, Joshua hits strenuous, terrifyingly strenuous. Just ask Francis Ngannou, the MMA star turned groundbreaking boxer, and many, many others. It’s strenuous not to imagine Joshua measuring Paul on Friday and then firing a missile at the adolescent man’s bottom guard, a missile that knocks Paul to the mat. What would Paul be like after this, even if he somehow managed to get up? Then it may be a matter of when, not if, Joshua adds another knockout to his CV. However, there is one scenario that could prove to be a wild card on Friday

Joshua’s last fight was a year ago with Daniel Dubois. Needless to say, the results weren’t pretty for Joshua fans. Dubois knocked down the powerful Englishman several times before finally finishing him off in the fifth round. Joshua looked absolutely terrible, like a shell of his Glory Days self. Of course, Joshua should be able to put that painful defeat behind him on Friday, but it was still a major loss and you never know. If Paul were to win, it would be a terrible blot on Joshua’s illustrious career.

Boxing

Shakur Stevenson Challenges Devin Haney to Step Up Against KO Champion: You Have No Other Option

Published

23 hours ago

August 9, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

"Shakur Stevenson Challenges Devin Haney to Step Up Against KO Champion: 'You Have No Other Option'"

Devin Haney is currently searching for his next opponent and Shakur Stevenson believes there is only one option for him.

Haney hasn’t fought since becoming a three-division world champion when he defeated Brian Norman Jr by unanimous decision to win the WBO welterweight title back in November.

He has been rumoured to face a number of opponents since then, including Stevenson himself, but it looked like ‘The Dream’ would finally settle on a mandatory showdown with Keyshawn Davis after Top Rank won the purse bid for the clash last week.

Those plans went up in smoke when Davis pulled out of the contest, and Stevenson has explained why he thinks Haney now must target a battle against unified super-welterweight champion Jaron Ennis.

“You said you’d fight Conor Benn? You said you’d find Xander. Why the f**k you don’t say you want to fight Boots now? Matter of fact, you’ve got no other option.

“There’s nobody else on the table. There’s no me, there’s no Key[shawn Davis]there’s no Rolly. Who do you go to? Boots is free. Go get him.”

Ennis previously became unified champion at welterweight before moving up to 154lbs, making an instant impact in the new division when he stopped Xander Zayas in June to win the WBA and WBO super-welterweight titles.

It remains to be seen whether Haney would have any interest in moving up in weight to take on Ennis, with ‘Boots’ also having been linked to fights against IBF champion Josh Kelly, and fellow unbeaten star Vergil Ortiz.

Boxing

New World Champion Aims to Follow Canelo and Golovkin as Top Middleweight

Published

23 hours ago

August 9, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

"New World Champion Aims to Follow Canelo and Golovkin as Top Middleweight"

A newly-crowned world champion believes he has what it takes to follow in the footsteps of Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin by becoming the best middleweight fighter on the planet.

Canelo and Golovkin each ruled the 160lb division for a number of years, culminating in two middleweight battles between the pair and one at super-middleweight.

While ‘GGG’ may have last competed in 2022, Canelo remains active, but now fights at super-middleweight, opening the door for a fighter to step up and become the top dog in the middleweight division.

One man who believes he can do just that is Aaron McKenna, who won the vacant IBF middleweight title with a unanimous decision win over Etinosa Oliha in Dublin on Saturday.

Speaking to Sky Sports following that win, McKenna explained how he has ambitions to pick up where the likes of Canelo and Golovkin left off.

“It doesn’t matter [who’s next]whoever wants it. I’m easy to find now, I have a belt. There’s no hiding any more. I want to collect every single belt in boxing. I’m the best middleweight and super-middleweight in the world. I don’t mind jumping up.

“The middleweight division’s there to be took over. It’s been dying for years since GGG (Golovkin) and Canelo left it. I said it again, a year ago, I think I’m going to be the man to take it over.”

The other world champions at 160lbs may have a thing or two to say about McKenna’s plan, as Denzel Bentley is the current WBO champion, Carlos Adamas holds the WBC belt, and Erislandy Lara is the WBA titleholder.

Boxing

Aaron McKenna vs Etinosa Oliha Live Results: Fight Highlights and Updates

Published

2 days ago

August 8, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

"Aaron McKenna vs Etinosa Oliha Live Results: Fight Highlights and Updates"

LIVE COVERAGE

Aaron McKenna faces the biggest night of his career as the Irish contender battles Etinosa Oliha for the vacant IBF middleweight title in Dublin.

The all-action card also features Callum Walsh against Tyler Denny, Joseph Ward’s return at light heavyweight, and appearances from Stephen McKenna, Connor Coyle and Sam Hickey.

WBN provides live results, live scorecards from the two main bouts, and updates from every bout as they happen.

Live Scorecards

Aaron McKenna vs. Etinosa Oliha

Callum Walsh vs. Tyler Denny

Live Results

Times are local IST

18:31

Connor Coyle earned a hard-fought ten-round decision against Mark Beuke but was never in danger if losing on his Zuffw debut, before Stephen McKenna blasted Owen O’Neill out in one round soon after.

17:50

Patrick O’Connor remained undefeated at 4-0 with a TKO victory over Juan Manuel Moriel to kick the action off.

TV Coverage and Remaining Bouts

United States: Paramount+
United Kingdom: Sky Sports

Aaron McKenna vs. Etinosa Oliha – Vacant IBF World Middleweight Title (12)
Callum Walsh vs. Tyler Denny (10)
Joseph Ward vs. Artjom Kasparian (10)
Sam Hickey vs. Brad Axe (8)
Louis Greene vs. Daniel Buciuc (6)

Preview

Aaron McKenna headlines in Dublin against Etinosa Oliha for the vacant IBF middleweight titlewhile fellow Irish star Callum Walsh steps up against Tyler Denny in the chief support.

Victory for both men would move them a step closer to a potential all-Irish world title showdown, a fight Dana White has already admitted is firmly on his radar.

About the Author

Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN), a BWAA-acknowledged boxing news website founded in 2010. A veteran boxing reporter with 16 years of experience, he has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside from major events. His work is published worldwide through WBN and distributed on platforms including Apple News.

Read Phil Jay’s full bio and latest stories.