Ariel Helwani Reveals Disastrous Ring Issue Almost Ruined Paul vs Joshua Event
Ariel Helwani has revealed that there could have been a disastrous end to Jake Paul v Anthony Joshua as he noticed an problem in the boxing ring.
After a whirlwind build-up to the fight, former two-time unified heavyweight champion Joshua returned to the boxing ring for a bout with influencer Paul at Miami's Kaseya Center on December 19.
The British boxer dominated much of the fight, eventually leading to him picking up a knockout finish in the sixth round of the fight as Paul failed to make the referee's count having been knocked down.
Throughout fight week, renowned combat sports journalist Helwani led the press conferences and coverage for the fight, having worked with Paul on several occasions in the past.
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But his relationship with Paul and Most Valuable Promotions didn't stop him from pointing out one mistake made in the ring that could have potentially caused chaos after the fight.
Immediately after the fight ended, several members of both Joshua and Paul's teams, including the YouTube star's brother Logan Paul, entered the ring alongside the media.
As the result of the fight was made official, it appears that dozens of people were cramped into the boxing ring, and Helwani has claimed it was so busy that he feared the ring could collapse.
"The fight ends and there is so many damn people in the ring that I swear the thing was collapsing," Helwani claimed while speaking about the chaotic end to the fight on The Ariel Helwani Show.
"You could feel it, it was almost like you were in quicksand, the things is collapsing and i'm like 'what's taking so long to read the damn announcement?'
"It's taking forever and everyone and their mum is in the ring, the thing is collapsing and I want to get the interview, this is the big moment.
However, Helwani admitted that, despite his worries, he was enjoying the excitement of the event and getting the chance to speak to both Joshua and Paul once he finally made his way through the crowd.
He added: "I weave through everyone to get there and I'm having the time of my life, I'm not going to lie, this is the dream.
"Finally I get to AJ and ask him some questions... he tells me this whole story with his arms on my shoulders, a lot of people mocked me but the guy stared into my soul, how can you not have great admiration for his story and what he's done?
"It's one of the great highlights of my career!"
Topics: Jake Paul, Anthony Joshua, Boxing, Ariel Helwani
Ben McCrum