Anthony Joshua will square off with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in a bizarre yet seismic heavyweight clash this December.
Former two-time world heavyweight champion Joshua, 36, ends his 14-month hiatus from the ring by fighting the 28-year-old American, posing the biggest and most dangerous challenge of Paul’s career.
The bout, to be fought at Miami’s Kaseya Centre, will not be an exhibition but rather a professional contest, meaning the result will go on each man’s record and a knockout is possible.
Joshua comes into the bout off the back of his stoppage loss to Briton Daniel Dubois in September 2024, while Paul was due to face Gervonta Davis until a civil lawsuit against the WBA lightweight champion scuppered that proposed 14 November exhibition fight.
“Jake or anyone can get this work, no mercy,” said Joshua in a press release. “Whether you like it or not, I’m here to do massive numbers, have big fights and break every record while keeping cool, calm and collected. Mark my words, you’ll see a lot more fighters take these opportunities in the future. I’m about to break the internet over Jake Paul’s face.”
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Joshua vs Paul:
When is the fight?
Joshua vs Paul will take place on Friday 19 December at the Kaseya Centre in Miami. The event is expected to begin around 1am GMT on Sunday (5pm PT / 7pm CT / 8pm ET on Saturday), with main-event ring walks any time from 3.30am GMT on Sunday (7.30pm PT / 9.30pm CT / 10.30pm ET on Saturday).
How can I watch it?
The event will stream live exclusively on Netflix around the world. The fight will not be on pay-per-view; it will be available to all existing and new subscribers.
What are the rules?
This will be a professional heavyweight fight, not an exhibition, meaning the result will go on each man’s record and a knockout is possible. It will be scheduled for eight three-minute rounds, and each man will wear standard 10oz gloves. Joshua will not be allowed to weigh more than 245lb on the day before the bout.
Odds
Joshua win – 1/10
Paul win – 6/1
Draw – 20/1
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Fight card in full
‘C’ denotes champion
Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul (heavyweight)
Alycia Baumgardner (C) vs Leila Beaudoin (IBF, WBO women’s super-featherweight titles)
Anderson Silva vs Tyron Woodley (cruiserweight)
Cherneka Johnson (C) vs Amanda Galle (IBF, WBC, WBO women’s bantamweight titles)
Yokasta Valle (C) vs Yadira Bustillos (WBC women’s strawweight title)
Avious Griffin vs Justin Cardona (welterweight)
Keno Marley vs Diarra Davis Jr (cruiserweight)

