Anthony Joshua v Jake Paul fight crosses line, warns Hobson
In the early hours of Saturday, UK time, one of the most bizarre spectacles in boxing history will be beamed across the world.
Jake Paul will face Anthony Joshua in a heavyweight fight in Miami - on the face of it, a one-sided contest in which Britain's two-time world champion should easily dismantle the YouTube influencer.
The build-up to the fight took an ugly turn this week when Joshua was asked whether he would hold back against Paul, and he replied: "If I can kill you, I'll kill".
Today, we asked veteran Sheffield promoter Dennis Hobson for his views on the Netflix event.
AJ vs Jake Paul – is it good for boxing?
"I don’t like it. As a promoter, we sometimes have to jump through lots of hoops with the British Boxing Board of Control just to get opponents passed if we want to match an up-and-comer against a journeyman.
AJ is licensed with the Board, so how are they allowing an ex-multiple world heavyweight champion fight against a novice, blown up cruiserweight?
Paul is much smaller and he got beat by Tommy Fury, who’s never even won a domestic title. If you look at it from that point of view, it’s dangerous.
AJ hits very hard, and we’ve had enough fatalities and serious injuries in boxing over the years.
People say: ‘If you had the opportunity to promote it and make lots of money, then you would’ but I think sometimes you’ve got to wake up and say no because he could get badly hurt.
Eddie Hearn is involved, he’s a great salesman and will be making a lot of money from it, but his judgement in boxing leaves a little bit to be desired at times.
I think it’ll be a similar result to his fight with Ngannou, can’t see it going past two rounds."
Should Chris Eubank Jr fight again?
"I don’t think so. He looked a shadow of himself against Conor Benn and he went to the hospital after both fights, so he’s playing with his health and should call it a day.
When you get into your mid-30s and your weight is up and down, it’s just not healthy.
Eubank’s had a great run, earned plenty of money, but his health is the most important thing."
Has 2025 been a good year for Sheffield boxing?
"I don’t think it’s been the best year, it’s been maybe like a transition year. There are one or two kids coming through, and Dalton Smith is obviously the flagship at the moment, really.
So, we maybe haven’t got an abundance of strength as regards titles in Sheffield, but we’ve got some prospects we’re building with John Fewkes.
There’s also other gyms like Grant Smith’s and Robert Riley’s making headway, also Junior Witter and you’ve also got Glyn Rhodes.
So, 2025 hasn’t been the strongest year but I’m positive more good times are on the way."