The circus ring

Boxing critics slam Paul vs Joshua bout ás a showbiz mismatch... but millions will watch sold-out clash

- BY CHRISTOPHER BUCKTIN

IT'S the biggest event in boxing but is the £140million fight between Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua a genuine sporting event or a cynical, scripted pantomime?

Early tomorrow morning, one of Britain's most decorated heavyweights will share a ring with a YouTuber-turned-fighter whose rise in the sport has been as derided as it has been profitable.

And like it or loathe it, Paul vs Joshua carries huge consequences for both men.

Ahead of the fight, to be shown on Netflix, Joshua was asked if he would hold back against Paul, with the heavyweight saying: "If I can kill you, I'll kill."

Joshua later defended his comment, adding: "It's my job, we fight. We have a licence to kill.