YouTube star turned professional boxer Jake Paul is taking a hard legal stance against persistent rumours that his boxing matches are pre-determined. Following his knockout loss to Anthony Joshua, Paul has directed his legal team to pursue individuals who spread claims of fight rigging.
Legal Threats Fly After Knockout Defeat
In a fiery post on the social media platform X, Jake Paul declared an end to his previous policy of ignoring critics. "After years of letting it slide as just 'haters being haters', I have asked my team to vigorously go after anyone who makes up lies about my boxing career," Paul wrote. He added a stark warning: "Expect to get served, you pigs."
The 27-year-old, who began his pro boxing journey in 2020, emphasized his dedication to the sport. "I've dedicated my life to boxing, and I will no longer let those with a public profile harm me or the sport I love and respect, without consequences," he stated.
To lead this legal offensive, Paul has reportedly hired high-profile attorney Alex Spiro, known for representing celebrities like Elon Musk and Jay-Z.
Adesanya's Analysis and a Viral 'Lawyer' Claim
The legal threats come in the wake of Paul's sixth-round knockout loss to two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua on a Friday night in December 2025. The defeat was so severe it left "The Problem Child" requiring surgery for a double broken jaw.
Former UFC champion Israel Adesanya shared his perspective on his YouTube channel, suggesting Joshua carried Paul during the fight. "I feel like AJ carried Jake Paul to the sixth round. I know what my eyes see, and I understand fighting," Adesanya commented.
Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of Paul's Most Valuable Promotions, appeared on the Ariel Helwani Show to reinforce the legal intent. He specifically targeted a viral online post by someone claiming to be a lawyer. "Our lawyers are actively going after a number of people, one who claims to be a lawyer himself online," Bidarian revealed.
He described the post, which garnered around 200,000 likes, as alleging a pre-fight agreement for Joshua not to knock Paul out, which AJ then supposedly ignored. "It's pretty, pretty astonishing what people will say," Bidarian remarked, adamantly denying any script or round agreement existed.
Anthony Joshua's Multi-Million Pound Tax Hit
While Paul deals with legal battles, the victor, Anthony Joshua, faces a significant financial obligation from his massive payday. As a UK resident, the Watford-born fighter is liable for taxes in both the United States and the United Kingdom.
Financial analysis from AceOdds breaks down the hefty bill:
- Approximately £25.6 million (37% of his prize money) will go directly to the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
- He must then pay the difference to the UK's HMRC, which amounts to roughly £5.5 million.
- An additional £1.4 million is due for UK National Insurance contributions.
This brings Joshua's total tax liability to a staggering £32 million from the fight purse, a stark reminder of the financial complexities in global sporting events.
