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Anthony Joshua is set to step into the ring against Jake Paul in a highly anticipated heavyweight clash in Miami next month.
According to information from Daily Mail Sport, the showdown is scheduled for December 19 at the Kaseya Center, with a staggering £140 million purse up for grabs. The prize money will be equally shared between Joshua, a two-time heavyweight world champion, and 28-year-old internet sensation Jake Paul.
This eight-round bout, featuring three-minute rounds and 10oz gloves, will be Joshua’s first return to the ring since his defeat by Daniel Dubois 14 months ago.
Both fighters will need to make significant weight adjustments, as the limit is set at 245lbs. Joshua has exceeded 250lbs in his last five matches, while Paul was around 200lbs for his June fight. The British Boxing Board of Control’s general secretary has noted that such a match would not receive sanctioning in the UK.
In a statement, Joshua declared, “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 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.’
Anthony Joshua’s headline grabbing heavyweight fight with Jake Paul has been confirmed
The fight next month will be Joshua’s first since he was crushed by Daniel Dubois last year
Paul controversially beat Mike Tyson last year and has only lost one since turning to boxing
Meanwhile ‘The Problem Child’ Paul, who has a record of 12 wins and one loss since moving into boxing, vowed that ‘Britain’s Goliath’ will be ‘put to sleep’.
‘This isn’t an AI simulation. This is Judgement day,’ he said.
‘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.’
However, Robert Smith, the general secretary for the British Boxing Board of Control, does not want to see the fight happen.
‘We talk about these types of matches with AJ and Paul. I’m totally against it. I don’t understand the reason AJ would want to do it,’ he told The Sports Agents.
‘We haven’t had any conversations with anybody [about sancitoning it] and I’d find it extremely surprising if the board agreed for that to happen in this country. I can’t see it happening here. I don’t see the reason for it.’
Paul controversially beat 58-year-old Mike Tyson on points last November and most recently defeated former world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr by unanimous decision in June. His only loss came at the hands of Tommy Fury in March 2024.
Eddie Hearn claimed Joshua was seeking a tune-up fight but the lucrative offer on the table for a fight with Paul convinced him to prioritise those negotiations
The fight with Paul (pictured with brother Logan) will be a full professional contest and will air on Netflix, with DAZN heavily compensated to allow Joshua to compete on a rival platform
The Youtuber-turned-boxer had originally been scheduled to take on Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis at the same venue on November 14, but the event was cancelled following Davis’ arrest.
The world lightweight champion was accused of battery, aggravated battery, false imprisonment, kidnapping and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The allegations resulted in the cancellation of the planned 195lb exhibition, prompting Paul to seek a new opponent for a rearranged December date.
After his fight against Joshua was confirmed, promoter Eddie Hearn said: ‘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 December 19. Whilst I admire Jake’s b*****, he’s going to find out the hard way in Miami.’
Nakisa Bidarian, CEO of Most Valuable Promotions, added: ‘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 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. This is a global clash between two of the most recognisable figures in the sport: Jake, the face of boxing’s new era, and Joshua, the King of UK boxing.’
Hearn had previously indicated that Joshua was seeking a tune-up fight after his defeat to Daniel Dubois at Wembley. He said AJ had been lining up a top-100 opponent, but the lucrative offer on the table for a fight with Paul swayed him.
The promoter also outlined a longer-term plan for Joshua to have one or two more bouts before a potential showdown with Tyson Fury in 2026 – an event Turki Alalshikh has publicly expressed interest in delivering.
Joshua has already agreed to terms for the fight, though it remains unclear whether Fury, currently claiming to be retired, has done the same.
Alalshikh hinted that progress was being made when he appeared on DAZN’s broadcast of the Chris Eubank Jr vs. Conor Benn rematch.
Hearn confirmed that Joshua’s clash with Paul will be a full professional contest fought at heavyweight under Queensberry rules, not an exhibition.
It has also been confirmed that the bout will air on Netflix despite Joshua’s long-standing exclusive deal with DAZN.
According to reports, DAZN was compensated heavily to allow Joshua to compete on a rival platform.
A press conference for the fight between Paul and AJ is due to take place in Miami on Friday afternoon.