‘It's dangerously insane' – Former world champ fears for Jake Paul's health amid Anthony Joshua fight talks
YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul audaciously called out two-time heavyweight champ AJ earlier in the year.
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It sparked a back-and-forth exchange between the two behind-the-scenes - paving the way for genuine talks between the two camps.
Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed they are interested with Paul's promotional partner Nakisa Bidarian also open for talks.
And with Saudi boxing supremo Turki Alalshkih too on board - the shock fight could become a reality.
But Bellew, who held the WBC cruiserweight title, told iFL TV: "Money talks and bulls*** walks, we all know that phrase we've all seen it.
"But this is another level. He ain't fighting a grandfather. It's absolute lunacy. It's insane. It's dangerously insane."
Paul, 28, has 12 wins and just one loss as a boxer, coming against Tommy Fury, 26, via split-decision in 2023.
His last win was in June against former middleweight world champ Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, 39, in a cruiserweight bout.
Paul made his heavyweight debut last November when Mike Tyson controversially made a comeback at 58 to lose over eight rounds.
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But he was forced to gain TWO STONE for the fight - revealing he struggled to even run amid the transformation.
Joshua, 35, was 18st for his last bout in September when he was knocked out by Daniel Dubois, 27, still four stone heavier than Paul.
So Bellew - who retired in 2018 - hit out at the fight and suggested AJ should instead face Canelo Alvarez.
He said: "It's madness. It's frighteningly mad. It's scary how dangerous it is.
"I got asked this on DAZN - and it will come out soon - Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul is the biggest fight in boxing.
"I said, no it's not. Do you want to know a bigger fight to make? Canelo and Anthony Joshua. It is.
"You're talking about two of the faces of boxing. Canelo's gone through that many weight divisions he may as well just try one of the heavyweights. Why not?"
Canelo, 35, is the undisputed super-middleweight king who faces unbeaten American Terence Crawford, 37, on September 13 in Las Vegas.
And although he is an all-time great, the Mexican superstar fights at the 12st limit, a staggering seven stone lighter than AJ.
Canelo has won titles at light-heavyweight - which is 175lb (12st 7lb) - and has teased a move to cruiserweight but never heavyweight.
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