Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua: A Clash of Giants in the Ring
The boxing world is gearing up for a showdown that promises strong emotions. Jake Paul, the media star turned boxer, will face former heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua on December 19 at the Kaseya Center in Miami. This fight, which will be broadcast on Netflix, marks a significant leap in Paul’s career.
Initially, Paul was scheduled to face Gervonta “Tank” Davis in an exhibition at an agreed weight of 195 pounds. However, this fight was canceled due to a lawsuit filed against Davis by his ex-partner, in which he was accused of assault and other crimes.
Now, Paul will face Joshua, an opponent who outweighs him by more than 100 pounds. Unlike the exhibition with Davis, Paul will not have a size advantage, as Joshua usually fights around 250 pounds, while Paul competes at the cruiserweight limit of 200 pounds. If he achieves victory, Paul could be the protagonist of one of the biggest surprises in boxing history.
Why This Fight?
Following the cancellation of his fight with Davis, Paul actively sought a new opponent to compete against before the end of 2025. According to his promoter, Most Valuable Promotions, several names were considered before an agreement was reached with Joshua.
Earlier this year, Paul had expressed his interest in facing Joshua, including him on a list of potential rivals. The original plan was for the fight to take place in 2026, after the fight with Davis. But, Paul quickly shifted his focus towards Joshua, who had been inactive after undergoing elbow surgery in June, and both parties reached an agreement.
Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, had stated that the British boxer intended to fight once at the end of 2025 before seeking a match with Tyson Fury in 2026.
Is it an Exhibition Fight?
No, the fight between Paul and Joshua will be a professionally sanctioned heavyweight fight, scheduled for eight three-minute rounds. The pugilists will use 10-ounce gloves, standard in heavyweight fights.
Although Paul is closer to Joshua’s weight, he will now have to face a difference in size and skill. Joshua, a former Olympic champion and two-time unified heavyweight champion, has weighed up to 254 pounds and down to 229 pounds in his professional career. Paul’s highest weight was 227¼ pounds in his November 2024 exhibition against Mike Tyson. In his most recent fight, against Julio César Chávez Jr. in June, Paul weighed 199.4 pounds.
Why Does Paul Want to Face Joshua?
Audacity with a touch of excessive confidence?
Regardless of opinions, Paul has shown persistence in his pursuit of challenges, despite being considered a novice in boxing. His record includes fights against MMA fighters, YouTubers, a former NBA slam dunk champion, low-level boxers, and a retired heavyweight. In his last fight, Paul faced Chávez, a former middleweight champion, dominating the boxer whose best years were behind him.
In March 2024, Joshua demonstrated his prowess by defeating Francis Ngannou, former UFC heavyweight champion, in two rounds.
Paul seeks to test himself, and the fight against Joshua will be a true assessment of his level.
Why Did Joshua Accept the Fight?
The answer is simple: it’s a low-risk, high-reward fight on a global stage, which will be broadcast on Netflix. Joshua, who has faced some of the best heavyweights of his generation, was looking to compete before the end of 2025. As one of the biggest stars in British boxing history, this fight will also increase his popularity in the United States, where he hasn’t fought since his knockout loss to Andy Ruiz Jr. at Madison Square Garden in 2019.
The American market is the only one Joshua hasn’t conquered, and facing someone with Paul’s influence will undoubtedly help him in his goal of facing Fury in 2026.
How Will This Affect Joshua’s Career?
If Joshua defeats Paul, as expected, his plans for a mega fight with Fury will remain in place. Fury is retired, but could be persuaded to return for a fight with Joshua.
It’s unlikely that Joshua will be concerned with prolonging the fight to put on a show. However, for every round that Paul endures, Joshua’s reputation could be affected. If the fight turns out to be competitive, doubts will arise about Joshua’s current place in boxing.
A tough fight with Paul, less experienced and smaller, would not be favorable for his future.
How Will This Affect Paul’s Career?
This is an interesting question, as a decorated and hard-hitting heavyweight is expected to defeat Paul decisively, and the chances of an upset are minimal. Paul is expected to lose this fight, and therefore, the fact of getting in the ring and holding on could be a moral victory for him, as long as he is not brutally knocked out at the beginning of the fight.
If Paul manages to make the fight competitive, it will only help his reputation in boxing grow. He has already shown that a defeat will not completely derail his career, and his huge presence on social media will allow him to recover and come back, if not more commercial, having gained the respect of a boxing community that has criticized his career.
It’s almost a no-lose situation for Paul, as he should never have been able to get in the ring with a former heavyweight champion at this stage of his career. Any time he spends on his feet will be a victory. However, if he ends up on the wrong side of a movie-style knockout, he’ll go viral for the wrong reasons.
