Jake Paul’s boxing journey has faced significant criticism, but Anthony Joshua remains supportive. The former YouTube star turned fighter is set to face Joshua, a former two-time unified world heavyweight champion, in a last-minute match scheduled for December 19th in Miami. This fight was arranged after Paul’s planned bout with Gervonta Davis on November 14 was canceled due to new domestic violence allegations against the WBA lightweight champion.
While many boxing fans anticipate Paul—often called “Problem Child”—being knocked out by one of the sport’s hardest hitters, Joshua stands apart from the critics. Unlike many in the boxing community, Joshua does not see Paul as an easy target but appreciates his role in elevating crossover boxing, where fighters transition between different combat sports.
Paul has made a name for himself by defeating former top MMA fighters like Tyron Woodley and Ben Askren, showcasing knockout power despite lacking traditional amateur boxing experience. Despite this, many purists remain skeptical of Paul’s legitimacy in the sport. However, Joshua defended Paul’s unconventional path, saying he’s learning by challenging himself in the ring and that this kind of boldness can only help boxing.
The fight between Paul and Joshua will be a professional bout on both fighters’ records, with Joshua restricted to a maximum weight of 245 pounds. They will compete in up to eight rounds of three minutes each, wearing 10-ounce gloves, a setup aimed at balancing the competition. Paul aims to avoid the outcome Francis Ngannou faced against Joshua earlier this year under similar conditions.
Fan Take: This matchup highlights the growing crossover trend in combat sports, where influencers and elite athletes collide, creating new excitement and debate. For fighting fans, it could reshape boxing’s landscape by blurring traditional boundaries and broadening its audience.
