The expected fight between Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul on December 19 in Miami promises to be a clash of titans, but how significant is the size difference between the two boxers?
This is not an exhibition event; the rules will be standard for a heavyweight fight.
Joshua, former heavyweight world champion, will face Paul, who is moving up from the cruiserweight category. Joshua, known for his imposing physique, has been one of the greatest heavyweights of his era.
In his recent fight against Daniel Dubois, Joshua weighed 252 pounds.
Paul, for his part, weighed 227 pounds in his fight against Mike Tyson.
The only time Paul exceeded the cruiserweight limit (200 pounds) was in his fight against Tyson.
Weight Results in Recent Fights
Anthony Joshua vs. Daniel Dubois: 252 pounds
Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou: 252 pounds
Anthony Joshua vs. Otto Wallin: 251 pounds
Jake Paul vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.: 199 pounds
Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson: 227 pounds
Jake Paul vs. Mike Perry: 200 pounds
Anthony Joshua, with a considerable size advantage in the ring against Jake Paul.
The Height Difference
Paul will be Joshua’s shortest opponent in a decade. The American is 6 feet 1 inch tall, five inches shorter than the Brit.
You have to go back 11 years and 22 fights to remember Michael Sprott, a 6-foot opponent who lasted less than a round.
Some might point to Joshua’s lower opponents in recent years.
Ruiz Jr. (6 feet 3 inches) surprised Joshua in New York and took him the distance in the rematch. Carlos Takam (6 feet 1 inch) was a tough opponent, and Jermaine Franklin (6 feet 3 inches) heard the final bell against Joshua.
Joshua is the tallest opponent Paul has faced, with a difference of four inches.
Anderson Silva (6 feet 2 inches) was defeated by Paul three years ago, but competed in UFC at 185 pounds, approximately 70 pounds less than Joshua.
However, Gervonta Davis…
Surprisingly, Paul was going to fight Gervonta Davis on November 14th before the fight was canceled.
Davis, undefeated world champion in three divisions, is five feet and five inches tall and weighed 135 pounds in his last fight.
This means Paul increased his opponent’s size by an astonishing difference of one foot and 120 pounds, a jump of seven weight categories.
