Anthony Joshua, the former two-time unified heavyweight champion, is making a return to the ring in Miami on December 19th, where he is set to fight the controversial figure Jake Paul in a bout broadcast on Netflix. This match comes shortly after Joshua’s planned November exhibition with Gervonta Davis was canceled, leading to a quicker turnaround for this high-profile encounter.
In an unexpected move, Deontay Wilder recently chose Joshua over legendary boxer George Foreman in a fantasy heavyweight tournament showdown featured on Daily Mail Sports’ TikTok. Wilder picked Oleksandr Usyk to defeat Lennox Lewis, Mike Tyson, and Muhammad Ali on one side of the bracket, but sided with Joshua against Foreman, stirring debate among fans who overwhelmingly believed Foreman was the superior fighter. Ultimately, Wilder’s bracket was won by Ali after Joshua was eliminated by Evander Holyfield.
Foreman is a heavyweight icon, having captured the world title in 1973 with a second-round knockout of undefeated Joe Frazier, before losing to Ali at the famous 1974 “Rumble in the Jungle.” His legendary status contrasts with Joshua’s more mixed record in recent years.
Joshua is expected to battle Jake Paul, who is less experienced and physically smaller, but this fight opens up several future possibilities for Joshua. There are talks of a follow-up fight with Tyson Fury scheduled for the 2026 Riyadh season, and a rematch against Kubrat Pulev, whom Joshua knocked out five years ago, is also on the horizon. Pulev, who recently commented on his own controversial bout with Jake Paul, remains ready for another fight with Joshua.
Fan Take: This news is significant for fight fans as it underscores Anthony Joshua’s continued relevance and adaptability in the heavyweight division despite upcoming challenges from unexpected fighters like Jake Paul. The Wilder-Joshua vs. Foreman debate also highlights ongoing conversations about the greatest heavyweights, adding excitement and historical context to the sport’s future.
