Anthony Joshua banned from fighting Jake Paul in UK as Eddie Hearn makes chilling warning

The regulatory body deemed the matchup between the two-time world champion and the YouTuber-turned-boxer too perilous to sanction.

Robert Smith, the BBBofC's general secretary, revealed to Telegraph Sport that whilst officials would have been obliged to review any formal proposal, the outcome was virtually predetermined.

"We would have had to consider the fight here if there had been an application to put it on, but I'm almost certain it would have been a 'No'," he stated.

The BBBofC chief elaborated that the contest would fail to serve boxing's interests, despite Florida's athletic commission granting approval for the spectacle.

Smith expressed his personal opposition during an appearance on The Sports Agents podcast, declaring: "I'm totally against it, to be honest with you. I don't understand why anybody would want to do it."

He confirmed no discussions had occurred with British boxing's governing body regarding the bout.

"We haven't had any conversation with anybody and I'd find it extremely surprising if the board agreed for that to happen in this country. I can't see it happening here," Smith added.

The general secretary identified financial gain as the sole motivation behind the matchup. "Personally, I don't see the reason for it other than money," he remarked.

Former world featherweight champion Barry McGuigan voiced alarm about the potential consequences of such a mismatch.

He warned the bout posed "absolutely dangerous" risks, particularly given the vast disparity in boxing pedigree between the competitors.

"If it's all straight up and proper, you would worry that he would take this kid's head off; you'd worry that he would knock Jake Paul out very, very badly," McGuigan cautioned.

The boxing legend drew parallels with mixed martial artist Francis Ngannou, who managed to survive the full distance against Tyson Fury in his professional boxing debut before facing Joshua.

"Joshua went out in two rounds and absolutely obliterated him and knocked him out very badly," McGuigan noted, before questioning: "How in the hell is Jake Paul going to do any better than him?"

The contest at Miami's Kaseya Center will unfold across eight three-minute rounds, with both fighters restricted to a 245-pound weight limit.

Joshua has exceeded 250 pounds in his previous five outings, whilst Paul weighed 227 pounds for his most recent appearance.

The Netflix-broadcast event, dubbed "Jake vs. Joshua: Judgment Day", will see both men wearing standard 10-ounce gloves.

Joshua declared: "I took some time out and I'm coming back with a mega show. It's a big opportunity for me. Whether you like it or not, I'm here to do massive numbers, have big fights and break every record whilst keeping cool, calm and collected."

Paul proclaimed: "When I beat Anthony Joshua, every doubt disappears, and no one can deny me the opportunity to fight for a world title."

Matchroom chairman Eddie Hearn defended the bout whilst acknowledging the risks involved.

"They made the offer and we accepted. It's a wonderful little Christmas treat before we get ready for the biggest year of AJ's career in 2026," he told Telegraph Sport.

The promoter hinted the Paul fight could precede a long-awaited showdown with Tyson Fury next year. "Whilst I admire Jake's balls, he's going to find out the hard way in Miami," Hearn warned.

Despite controversy surrounding potential damage to Joshua's reputation, Smith acknowledged the 2012 Olympic champion's contributions to British boxing.

"He has been a very successful boxer who has arguably done more for British boxing than anyone else in the last decade," Smith concluded.