Anthony Joshua has insisted he will pull no punches in his shock boxing match with Jake Paul.
On Friday 19 December, heavyweight star Joshua will fight the YouTuber-turned-boxer at Miami’s Kaseya Center. The bout 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.
However, the heavyweight fight is scheduled for eight three-minute rounds, making it shorter than most main-event matches on the men’s side of the sport. Furthermore, Joshua will be capped at 245lb.
Yet each man will wear 10oz gloves rather than any larger, more forgiving pairs,
Joshua vs Paul is an example of some of the most-unexpected matchmaking in boxing history, with 36-year-old Joshua a former two-time world heavyweight champion, while Paul, 28, made his name on YouTube and the Disney Channel before establishing a boxing career.
Still, Joshua has vowed to chase a KO, saying in a press release: “Jake or anyone can get this work, no mercy.
“I took some time out and I’m coming back with a mega show. It’s a big opportunity for me. 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.”
“This isn’t an AI simulation, this is Judgment Day,” said Paul. “A professional heavyweight fight against an elite world champion in his prime. When I beat Anthony Joshua, every doubt disappears, and no one can deny me the opportunity to fight for a world title.
“To all my haters, this is what you wanted. To the people of the United Kingdom, I am sorry. On Friday December 19, under the lights in Miami, live globally only on Netflix, the torch gets passed and Britain’s Goliath gets put to sleep.”
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn added: “They say be careful what you wish for, kind of feel like that’s all I need to say. Two of the biggest names in the sport will collide on 19 December. While I admire Jake’s b***s, he’s going to find out the hard way in Miami.”
Meanwhile, Paul’s business partner said: “Everyone laughed when Jake Paul said in March that he wanted to fight AJ in 2026. Well, plans changed, and in under two weeks, MVP [Most Valuable Promotions] and Netflix have made one of the biggest fights of all time.
“Now, as only Jake Paul could and would do, he’s fighting one of the most fearsome boxers in the world. Joshua has every advantage in this fight, except one – the delusional confidence of Jake Paul, and if anyone can shock the world, it’s him.”
Joshua’s record stands at 28-4 (25 KO wins), and the Briton has beaten the likes of Wladimir Klitschko, Dillian Whyte, Joseph Parker, Alexander Povetkin and Kubrat Pulev, while also facing Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois at the elite level.
Meanwhile, Paul is 12-1 (7 KO wins) as a professional. The American has defeated – among others – former boxing world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, former UFC champions Tyron Woodley and Anderson Silva, and heavyweight boxing icon Mike Tyson.
Paul went the distance with Tyson, 58 at the time, in November 2024 and won on points in a highly-controversial fight, which played out across eight two-minute rounds. Paul typically fights at cruiserweight but faced Tyson at heavyweight.
Joshua has not fought since September 2024, when he was knocked out by Dubois at Wembley Stadium, suffering four knockdowns en route to defeat – the fourth loss of his career and second by stoppage.
The British public continues to await a generational showdown between Joshua and Tyson Fury, 37, whose half-brother Tommy is the only fighter to have beaten Paul. Joshua vs Fury is being targeted for early 2026, according to Hearn.
In an interesting move, the fight against Paul sees Joshua veer from his usual broadcaster DAZN to compete on Netflix.
Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul official as strange but seismic fight looms
Conor Benn made Chris Eubank Jr look like an old man and the next move should be clear
Benavidez vs Yarde: Start time, undercard and how to watch fight this weekend
Anthony Joshua says he will ‘break the internet over Jake Paul’s face’ in Miami
Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul official as strange but seismic fight looms
When is Joshua vs Paul? Date, time, undercard and which TV channel will it be on
