Former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder has sparked controversy ahead of Anthony Joshua’s highly anticipated fight with Jake Paul, suggesting the matchup may have been carefully orchestrated.

Speaking to FightHub TV ahead of the December 19 showdown at the Kaseya Centre in Miami, Wilder questioned the legitimacy of the contest between two-time unified champion Joshua and YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul.

The fight represents another audacious step for Paul, who shocked the boxing world in 2024 by defeating former heavyweight legend Mike Tyson after Tyson came out of retirement. However, Wilder argues that facing an active, elite heavyweight like Joshua poses an entirely different level of challenge.

“In my opinion, I think the fight between Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua is scripted a little bit because of the weight difference, and Joshua is active. This will be the first time we see Paul fighting a real, active fighter,” Wilder said.

“We’ve seen him with Mike Tyson—that was fun, that was cute—but now he’s up against a true professional. Let’s see how it ends up.”

The bout is expected to generate massive commercial interest, with both Joshua and Paul reportedly set to earn at least $40 million each. The eight-round contest will use 10-ounce gloves, and Joshua must not exceed 245 pounds on fight night.

Despite the hype, the fight has raised serious safety concerns within boxing circles. Muhammad Ali’s grandson, Nico Ali, and former world champion Amir Khan have both cautioned that Paul could be putting his health—and possibly his life—at risk by taking on a fighter of Joshua’s calibre.