Conor Benn isn't one to sugarcoat things. He sees the possible Anthony Joshua versus Jake Paul fight for what it is: boxing in today's world—risky, commercial, and unapologetic.

Boxing is always dangerous, but you know that going in, he told Daily Mail Sport at the IBA 2025 Boxing World Championships in Dubai. If it makes money, it makes sense. That's just how it is. There's no anger or sarcasm in his voice, just a straightforward take on a sport that's changed a lot. It's crazy, really. It just shows where boxing is right now.

Benn quickly gets to a point that many fighters avoid: No matter what you think about Jake Paul, his chance to fight Joshua isn't just luck or a joke that went too far. It's because he's promoted himself really well.

"You have to give it to Jake Paul," Benn said. How did he get to the point where he could fight AJ, a former heavyweight champ who's a star in boxing? How did he do that? He went from making YouTube videos to fighting older UFC fighters, and now he's here.

Benn shook his head, part impressed, part surprised. He gets marketing. He knows fights are a business. He knows how to sell a fight and get people interested. It's all because of how well he promotes himself.

Conor Benn stated that he sees no problems with Anthony Joshua fighting Jake Paul.

If anything, Benn is in awe of Paul for landing a fight with Joshua.

He's not sympathetic toward those who are bitter about the YouTuber-turned-boxer.

"I think a lot of boxers should learn from Jake Paul," he said. Don't be jealous or angry or hate him. He just understands how the game works.

Benn believes that entertainment is still a key, and many fighters forget that. If you ask me what I'd rather watch, I'd pick Jake Paul over some of these so-called top fighters, he said. You can be a good fighter, but if you don't try to be exciting, even a little, you don't belong in the entertainment business. You'll never fill a stadium. Just look at Devin Haney.

Benn uses the same clear thinking to see what this fight means for Anthony Joshua. He doesn't think Joshua's reputation will be hurt by fighting Paul.

AJ can do whatever he wants, Benn said. He's sold out stadiums many times. He's done a lot for British boxing. If I were him, I wouldn't care. I'd be making lots of money, so my family would be set for life. That's his legacy.

He laughs at the idea that online criticism matters. Do you think the people leaving nasty comments on Twitter or Instagram will matter in 10 years? When he's on his yacht, flying his helicopter in Monaco, relaxing, and training when he wants? He's not going to care what some random person thinks.

Benn thinks it's obvious that people are being hypocritical. If you offered any of those people £50 million to fight Jake Paul, they'd take it in a second, he said. I would. I'd take it for 10; I'd take it for five. So who cares? Boxing is going in a crazy direction. If you can get £50 million for an easier fight, why not? Less damage and more money is always the goal.

Jake Paul claims he sees 'weakness' in Anthony Joshua.

Benn is equally realistic about safety concerns and calls for the commission to step in. "You know the risks," Benn said. He knows what he's getting into.

He points out that boxing has never been completely safe or fair. Some amateurs with good backgrounds turn pro and fight world champions in their third or fourth fight. Jake Paul has gotten a lot better, in my opinion.

Benn isn't saying they're on the same level, but he gets Paul's thinking. Has he fought anyone as good as AJ? No, not even close. But maybe he thinks he just needs one lucky punch. Maybe he thinks he's faster, younger, and fresher. Fighters can convince themselves of things that aren't really true, but if they believe it, that's what matters.

He also doesn't think the fight would be rigged. People saying it's fixed are wrong, Benn said firmly. AJ doesn't seem like that kind of person. It would ruin his reputation. He's not going to do that.

When asked about Joshua working with members of Oleksandr Usyk's training team, Benn isn't impressed. "I don't really get it," he said. I don't see any similarities between AJ and Usyk, so I don't know how that would work.

Benn prefers to stick with people he trusts, not constantly change things. "I'm a big believer in staying with my coach," Benn said. Tony knows me as a fighter. He's known me since I was a kid. I value relationships. A loss doesn't automatically mean it was the trainer's fault. Sometimes things just don't go your way.

Anthony Olascuaga, currently the most active major titleholder from America, scored another win overseas.

In Tokyo, Olascuaga ended 2025 strong with his third victory of the year and his fourth title defense overall. He defeated Taku Kuwahara with a fourth-round TKO. Olascuaga, the WBO 112 lb titleholder, landed a series of powerful shots that left Kuwahara unable to defend himself, causing the fight to be stopped at 2:35 of the fourth round at Ryogoku Kokugikan.

Even though he's based in Los Angeles, Olascuaga seemed right at home fighting abroad for the sixth time in his last seven fights. Half of his career has taken place in Tokyo, including his title-winning fourth-round knockout of Riku Kano at the same arena on July 20 last year.

Kuwahara, from Yokohama, 14-3 (9 KOs), had promised to be Olascuaga's toughest opponent so far. His only losses were to Seigo Yurki Akui, both before and during Akui's previous reign as WBA 112 lb titleholder.

Akui has since lost his belt but came back with a third-round knockout on the undercard of Wednesday's show.

There were moments when Kuwahara, who is represented by Ohashi Promotions, lived up to his claim, especially when he could find his range and use his straight right hands. But, this didn't happen often enough against Olascuaga, who was stronger and landed more punches with greater force.

The beginning of the end for Kuwahara came in the final minute of the fourth round. Olascuaga, 11-1 (8 KOs), was spot on with his left hook and drove Kuwahara across the ring. Kuwahara was trapped in a corner as Olascuaga unloaded right hands around his guard and left hooks.

Kuwahara managed to get out of the corner, but with his gloves pinned to his face and not throwing any punches back, the referee, Robert Hoyle, stepped in to stop the fight.

Olascuaga has now defended his WBO 112 lb title four times in the 17 months he's held it. Three of those defenses happened in 2025, including a rare title fight in the U.S. when he knocked out Juan Carlos Camacho in two rounds on September 11 in Las Vegas.

That fight was part of a U-Next tripleheader, which was headlined by the Seiya Tsutsumi vs. Nonito Donaire WBA 118 lb title unification bout.