Jake Paul is set to face former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in a significant step up in competition on December 19th at the Caseya Center in Miami, with the fight streaming on Netflix. Initially, Paul was supposed to fight WBA lightweight champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis in a 195-pound exhibition match, but the bout was canceled after a lawsuit was filed against Davis by Paul’s ex-girlfriend alleging serious charges.
Now, Paul will participate in a professional heavyweight fight against Joshua, who outweighs Davis by about 100 pounds. Unlike the earlier planned exhibition, Paul will not have a size advantage; Joshua typically weighs around 250 pounds, while Paul fights at the cruiserweight limit of 200 pounds. Paul aims to pull off a shocking upset against Joshua, elevating his status in boxing.
The shift to fight Joshua came after Paul’s initial match with Davis was canceled. Paul’s promotional team negotiated with various opponents before finalizing a deal with Joshua. Although Paul had initially planned to meet Joshua in 2026, the cancellation of the Davis fight expedited these negotiations. Joshua, having been sidelined due to elbow surgery, agreed to the schedule, aiming to fight once in late 2025 before targeting a bout with Tyson Fury in 2026, according to his promoter Eddie Hearn.
This fight is not an exhibition; it will be a sanctioned heavyweight match scheduled for eight three-minute rounds using standard 10-ounce gloves. Paul, who has fought at weights between 199 and 227 pounds, will face a highly decorated boxer in Joshua, a former Olympic gold medalist and two-time unified heavyweight champion who has varied between 229 and 254 pounds during his career.
Paul’s motivation to fight Joshua comes from his desire to challenge himself, despite criticism and his relatively novice status in boxing. He has faced mixed-skill opponents so far, with his last fight being a convincing win over a former middleweight champion past his prime. Joshua’s previous ring appearance against a novice boxer was in March 2024, when he decisively defeated former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou.
For Joshua, the fight offers low risk but high rewards on a global stage streamed via Netflix. It serves as a chance to boost his marketability in the U.S., where he has not fought since a KO loss to Andy Ruiz Jr. in 2019. Joshua’s team sees this fight as a stepping stone toward a possible megafight with Tyson Fury.
If Joshua wins as expected, the path remains clear for a potential match with Fury, who has retired but might return for this bout. However, if the fight turns out competitive or Paul lasts longer than expected, Joshua’s standing in the boxing world could be questioned, especially after his recent defeat to Daniel Dubois in 2024.
For Paul, the fight is risky since Joshua is favored to win convincingly. However, lasting through the match or delivering a competitive performance could significantly boost Paul’s credibility and marketability in boxing, despite his critics. Paul has shown resilience in his career, and this fight might help him gain some respect or further public interest unless he suffers a devastating KO.
Overall, this fight is a no-win scenario for Paul in terms of expectations, but every moment he stays competitive could be seen as a victory. On the other hand, a harsh knockout could damage his reputation and provide viral negative attention.
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Fan Take: This fight matters because it pits a seasoned, elite heavyweight champion against a determined, unconventional challenger who has brought fresh eyes to boxing. The outcome could either reinforce the dominance of traditional boxing champions or mark a paradigm shift where crossover stars like Paul reshape the sport’s landscape.
