Former world champion George Groves has suggested that Anthony Joshua’s blockbuster showdown with Jake Paul on December 19 in Miami could appear “fixed” if Joshua fails to stop the YouTuber-turned-boxer in the first round.
Speaking on SunSport’s Split Decision, Groves said Joshua must dominate to avoid public suspicion.
“If he doesn’t annihilate him in the first 30 seconds, then it looks fixed,” Groves said.
Joshua will face Paul in an eight-round contest streamed globally on Netflix. While Groves admitted that a sluggish start wouldn’t automatically signal foul play, he insisted that anything short of a rapid knockout would raise doubts.
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“If he doesn’t knock him out in 30 seconds, I’d think he’s just had a stinker, but it doesn’t mean it’s fixed,” he added.
Paul has faced heavy criticism over the credibility of his recent fights. After losing to Tommy Fury in 2023, he went on to claim controversial decision wins over 58-year-old Mike Tyson and 39-year-old Julio César Chávez Jr., fuelling widespread online speculation about possible match-fixing.
Groves also questioned Anthony Joshua’s busy fight schedule, which includes the Paul bout, a February tune-up in Saudi Arabia, and a proposed September mega-fight with Tyson Fury.
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“The longer Joshua leaves it, the more it looks like the best option is to not box again,” Groves warned.
He further cast doubt on Fury’s ability to return from inactivity straight into a Joshua clash.
“He won’t spend two years out of the ring and then come straight back in and fight Joshua. There will be more to it.”
Groves said he prefers Joshua and Fury to fight immediately rather than rebuild or seek more titles.
