If Jake Paul defeats Anthony Joshua on Friday night, it will be a seismic shock on a scale unprecedented in heavyweight boxing history.

That’s how wide the gap in class is between the YouTuber-turned-boxer (21-1, 7 KO), who is ranked outside the top 15 in all four world heavyweight governing bodies, and two-time world heavyweight boxing champion Joshua (28-4, 25 KO). By the time Paul fought his first professional fight in 2020 (without an amateur career), Joshua had won eight world title fights and lost one after winning an Olympic gold medal in 2012.

Not only would a victory for Paul be far greater than boxing’s No. 1 defeat this year (Rolando “Rolly” Romero scored points over Ryan Garcia in May), but it would also eclipse some of boxing’s most notable surprise results from decades ago, such as the points scored by Fritzi Zivic vs. Henry Armstrong (welterweight) in 1940 and Randolph Turpin vs. Sugar Ray Robinson (middleweight) in 1951 and Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Marvin Hagler (middleweight) in 1987.

The fights involving boxing legends were for world titles, and Paul was still far from the cruiserweight level.

In addition to experience and ability, size is also crucial: Paul moves up to heavyweight to face AJ. Oleksandr Usyk, the current No. 1 heavyweight in the world, successfully moved up from the cruiserweight division and defeated Joshua twice… but he is a former undisputed world cruiserweight champion and Olympic gold medalist.

However, Paul’s supporters point to the fact that Joshua has already been the victim of one of the biggest upsets in recent heavyweight history. There was no suggestion in June 2019 that a flabby Andy Ruiz would defeat Joshua in Recent York, but the American recovered from knocking down Joshua four times in the third round and earning a thrilling seventh-round TKO victory. However, Ruiz was not an unknown challenger to Joshua’s three world titles that night – three years earlier he had lost a dull points fight to Joseph Parker for the WBO world title.

Joshua avenged his defeat to Ruiz with a careful scoring six months later and regained the WBA, IBF and WBO belts. But an estimated 22 million viewers watched that humbling moment in the seventh round when Ruiz stopped him.

Losing to Paul would be an even greater humiliation for Joshua. This would leave an indelible mark on his career and irreparable damage to his reputation.

To put it in perspective, as much of a shock as Paul beating AJ would be, it would be bigger than these 10 iconic upsets in heavyweight boxing history.

11/02/1990: Mike Tyson L KO 10 vs. James “Buster” Douglas, Tokyo

Douglas, a 42-1 long shot, took advantage of Tyson’s impoverished preparation to defeat the champion for the first time in his career in round 10. Douglas, inspired by the recent death of his mother, used his excellent reach to land powerful punches throughout the fight. Douglas recovered from an eighth-round knockdown to deliver a stunning combination in round ten to become the undisputed champion. It was the first professional defeat for Tyson, known as “The Baddest Man in the World” after terrorizing the heavyweight division.

May 25, 1964: Sonny Liston L RTD 6 v. Cassius Clay, Miami

Clay, who later changed his name to Muhammad Ali, shocked the world when he forced the feared champion Liston, a 7-1 favorite, to retire on his stool after the sixth round. Ali gracefully dodged Liston’s early attacks and then landed precise punches that allowed Liston to fall in the sixth throw and become the undisputed champion.

22/04/2001: Lennox Lewis L KO 5 vs. Hasim Rahman, South Africa

Lewis underestimated the altitude in South Africa and his American opponent while filming a pre-fight role in Ocean’s Eleven. Lewis was caught by the little-known Rahman after dropping his hands in round 5 for the WBC and IBF belts. Lewis also lost to Oliver McCall in two rounds in 1994, another major disappointment.

June 13, 1935: Max Baer L PTS 15 vs. James Braddock, Recent York

The “Cinderella Man” went from a lost journeyman on the dole in 1933 to world heavyweight champion when he defeated the mighty Baer for the world title after starting 10-1 as an underdog.

30/10/1974: George Foreman L KO 8 v. Muhammad Ali, Zaire

Ali used the “drug rope” tactic to defeat world champion Foreman and regain the world heavyweight title at the age of 32 in the “Rumble in the Jungle”. Ali came off the ropes in the eighth race and knocked down the tiring Foreman, who was supposed to beat his compatriot.

06/19/1936: Joe Louis L KO 12 vs. Max Schmeling, Recent York

Louis was in excellent form and tipped to become champions when his unbeaten run hit the crossbar. The German reigned as champion (1930-31), but Louis’ form by KO was such that Schmeling started as a 10-1 outsider. Schmeling hit Louis’ right side three times in rounds 4 and 12.

15/02/1978: Muhammad Ali L PTS 15 vs. Leon Spinks, Las Vegas

Spinks, the 1976 Olympic gold medalist, defeated Ali by split decision in just his eighth professional fight. Ali (36) defended in the 11th defense but was unable to cope with the work rate of 24-year-old Spinks.

9/11/1996: Mike Tyson L. TKO 11 Evander Holyfield, Las Vegas

Tyson has demolished all four of his opponents since his release from prison, while Holyfield started the match at 25-1 as an underdog after a impoverished showing in his previous fight against Bobby Czyz. Holyfield had a direct exchange of words to stop Tyson from fighting for the WBA belt.

5/11/1994: George Foreman W KO 10 against Michael Moorer

After losing the previous fight, Foreman won a large right and finished 26-year-old Michael Moorer to become the world heavyweight champion again at the age of 45. Foreman had previously lost the world title in another upset to Ali 20 years earlier.

28/11/2015: Wladimir Klitschko L PTS 12 vs. Tyson Fury, Dusseldorf, Germany

The Ukrainian’s nine-year reign as world champion came to an end when Fury defeated him to claim a unanimous points victory. Fury’s move meant the Ukrainian never got into the fight and the Briton won three versions of the world title.