The fight between Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua has spurred more talk about Paul’s safety than who will win the heavyweight boxing match scheduled for Dec. 19 in Miami.

David Haye, a former heavyweight champion, told Sky News in Britain that Paul’s life will be at risk when the 6-1 Paul climbs into the ring against Joshua, the 6-6 Brit and two-time heavyweight champion. Paul is a significant underdog based on early odds.

“It could be his last day on Earth,’’ said Haye, 45, who held world titles as a heavyweight and cruiserweight.

Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua safety concerns

But Louis Durkin, president of the Association of Ringside Physicians, told USA TODAY Sports he has no safety concerns about the boxing match that is scheduled for eight rounds.

“Although Jake should be a considerable underdog, he has real skills and AJ is a little past his prime,’’ said Durkin, Chairman of Emergency Medicine at Mercy Medical Center in Springfield, Mass. “Should be a good match and I think strong chance it goes the distance.’’

On safety concerns being aired by others, Durkin said, “They don’t want to believe a YouTuber is good enough. He took the shortcut to the top.’’

Durkin said the difference between Paul and Joshua in terms of experience and size counts “on paper.”

“But if you look at the individual fighters, I don’t think it rises to the level of safety concern,’’ Durkin continued. “Now whether (Paul) deserves a shot at Joshua is a different question. But I think that gets confused with the level of danger."

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua: Ringside doctor weighs in on danger