Jake Paul is set to face Anthony Joshua in a sanctioned eight-round bout using 10-ounce gloves on Friday at Miami’s Caseya Center. This fight marks Joshua’s return after a knockout loss to Daniel Dubois for the IBF Heavyweight Championship on September 21, 2024, which ended his four-fight winning streak. On the other hand, Paul recently secured a 10-round unanimous decision against former WBC world middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in June. The fight will be streamed on Netflix starting at 8 pm ET, with the Paul vs. Joshua match expected around 11 pm ET.
Betting odds from FanDuel favor Joshua heavily as a -$1200 favorite, meaning a $1,200 bet is needed to win $100, while Paul is a +$700 underdog, offering $700 on a $100 wager. The total rounds betting line is set at 2.5, with the over being attractive at -174. Joshua expressed confidence to CBS Sports that he must knock Paul out in the first round to win, otherwise, he would be at a disadvantage, with a +330 payout if Joshua doesn’t win early. Fans are encouraged to check expert boxing predictions and advice from SportsLine’s analyst, Josh Nagel, before placing bets.
New users can benefit from promotions like the DraftKings promo code offering $200 in bonus bets if their bet wins, and FanDuel’s offer giving a $250 bonus bet on a $5 winning bet. Josh Nagel, SportsLine’s martial arts editor with over 20 years of experience, has a strong track record of accurate boxing picks, correctly predicting several major fights and underdog wins, including Paul’s recent victory over Chavez Jr.
Nagel highlights Joshua’s advantage for the fight, noting Joshua’s three knockouts in his last four fights, including a second-round KO of Francis Ngannou in March 2024. Paul is at a physical disadvantage with height and reach deficits and has fought fewer rounds in his career. Despite Paul being younger and lighter, Joshua’s extensive experience and power make him a valuable bet. Nagel also offers other prop bets with good returns only available through SportsLine.
Additional betting promotions from bet365 include a chance to win $150 in bonus bets after placing a $5 wager. Nagel has locked in multiple valuable prop picks and advises fans to visit SportsLine for comprehensive predictions and analysis ahead of the December 19 heavyweight showdown.
Fan Take: This matchup is a rare collision between a seasoned heavyweight champion and a social media superstar turned boxer, sparking huge interest beyond traditional fight fans. It highlights the evolving landscape of combat sports, where crossover stars bring fresh attention and potential new audiences to boxing, shaping the sport’s future.
