Majority Of Bettors Back Jake Paul Ahead of Friday Fight with Anthony Joshua on bet365

Around 86% of bettors have backed Jake Paul to defeat two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua this Friday, according to data provided by sportsbook operator bet365. Should that happen, it would rank among the biggest upsets in modern boxing.

While few of those bettors are likely expecting a realistic payout, the availability of Paul at +600 has driven significant interest in the underdog at our best sports betting sites. It has been particularly popular among casual bettors drawn to high-return scenarios. 

Joshua's promoter, Eddie Hearn, had made clear in the build-up that he wanted his fighter to secure a straightforward, early stoppage. He framed the bout as an opportunity for Joshua to reassert himself and protect boxing's credibility. 

However, uncertainty has lingered around Joshua's current form following his stoppage loss to Daniel Dubois in September. This defeat raised fresh questions about his durability and confidence at the elite level. If you want to roll the dice on the underdog, you can take advantage of an bet365 bonus code.

The event has generated substantial global attention regardless of opinion on the matchup, with betting turnover expected to rival the volumes seen during Paul's points win over Mike Tyson last year. According to bet365, the imbalance of money has followed a familiar pattern for crossover bouts involving high-profile outsiders.

Steve Freeth of bet365 said that while comparisons to historic sporting upsets were debatable, the weight of money behind Paul is notable, adding that a Paul victory would represent a significant negative outcome for the bookmaker.

Despite the volume of bets backing Paul outright, Joshua is still the clear favorite to win by knockout. More than 50% of customers betting on round markets supported a first or second round stoppage for Joshua.

Celebrity Wager Adds Further Scrutiny to Upcoming Fight

The betting narrative intensified further after Hollywood producer Jon Peters placed a $5 million wager on Paul to defeat Joshua. Peters, a former head of Sony Pictures, has also encouraged his children to place additional wagers on the same result, with the combined potential payout estimated at around $50 million based on prevailing odds.

Peters described the bet as the first time he had ever wagered on another athlete. He attributed his confidence to Paul's mentality and career development rather than traditional boxing credentials.

Although Joshua has had a strong career and genuine knockout capabilities, he also spoke about his long-held passion for fighting sports and said that he believed that Paul could finish the fight quickly.

Additionally, Peters discussed his potential film plans and his options for a remake of Bullitt, for which he views Paul as a marketable modern star. 

Peters presented the bet as a calculated position rather than a novelty play, although he admitted that he had taken a high risk with the move.