sports

December 18, 2025

Boxing was the original attention economy

Millions will tune in to watch the brash YouTuber get his comeuppance – the fight will likely go on as long as Joshua decides to let it

Boxing was the original attention economy

TL;DR

  • Jake Paul, a YouTuber-turned-boxer, is fighting heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in Miami.
  • Concerns exist regarding the safety of the fight due to the significant disparity in size, experience, and pedigree between Paul and Joshua.
  • The bout has attracted substantial investment from Netflix, underscoring boxing's historical function as an attention economy.
  • Paul has developed into a club-level boxer, with a record of 12 wins out of 13 professional bouts against a variety of opponents.
  • Joshua, an Olympic gold medallist and two-time unified heavyweight champion, is seeking to re-establish himself after a recent knockout loss.
  • Boxing's history is rooted in spectacle and drawing power, with figures like John L. Sullivan and Jack Johnson becoming global celebrities.
  • Paul defends his participation by claiming to have significantly contributed to boxing's popularity in the past decade.
  • The outcome is widely expected to favor Joshua, though a spectacular defeat for Paul could still enhance his brand.

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