Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua will face off on December 19.
Streaming giant Netflix has confirmed the bout, which will be an eight-round sanctioned fight with 10oz gloves. The fight will take place in Miami, Florida.
News emerged last week that both fighters were in talks over a remarkable December date after Paul cancelled his scheduled fight with Gervonta Davis, set for November 14, after the lightweight world champion was accused of kidnapping and battery in a civil lawsuit.
Paul's Most Valuable Promotions confirmed that the YouTuber-turned-boxer would fight a new opponent "before the end of 2025", and talk of facing Joshua soon emerged.
Paul has a history of calling out the sport's biggest names as he tries to grow his reputation alongside a 12-1 record, which includes wins over former MMA fighters, journeymen boxers and a 58-year-old Mike Tyson.
He has previously - and repeatedly - been turned down by the likes of Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez, but talks over a showdown with Joshua on Netflix were last week said to be a "done deal" and a December 19 date was mooted.
The fight has now been confirmed and Joshua says the opportunity to “break the internet” could not be ignored.
“Jake or anyone can get this work. No mercy,” Joshua said in a statement. “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 whilst 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,” Paul said in a statement.
“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."
"They say be careful what you wish for, kind of feel like that’s all I need to say,” Eddie Hearn, chairman of Matchroom Boxing, added. “Two of the biggest names in the sport will collide on Dec 19. Whilst I admire Jake’s balls, he’s going to find out the hard way in Miami.”
The fight marks Joshua’s first since losing to Daniel Dubois in September 2024, which ended his hopes of a trilogy fight against unified world champion Oleksandr Usyk.
Confirmation of the December bout comes days after Saudi boxing supremo Turki Alalshikh revealed that Joshua is set to fight in the Gulf state in February 2026 and then in London the following September.
"We will have Joshua in our country in February," he said on DAZN ahead of Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn's rematch. "Next year, we have two big events here in London, which will be a surprise."
He added: "Then there is the big fight, one of the greatest fights in the history of boxing in London, maybe in September. We will have a surprise for the fans."
Fans are speculating that the long-awaited British superfight showdown between Joshua and Tyson Fury could be the September 'surprise'.
