Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua: The Ultimate Showdown
The YouTuber-turned-pugilist faces a colossal challenge against a former two-time unified world champion in an unlikely money-spinning bout in Miami that many believe will be a total and potentially even dangerous mismatch.
Paul had originally been due to face reigning WBA lightweight champion Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis in a 10-round exhibition contest on November 14, only for that event to be cancelled at 10 days’ notice after a civil lawsuit filed against Davis by his ex-girlfriend.
Paul quickly sought a new opponent for a revised fight date to still be broadcast on Netflix in December, with the likes of former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou and arch-rival Tommy Fury both approached before he became embroiled in a public war of words with both.
Surprise reports then emerged that Paul was close to a lucrative agreement with Joshua and Matchroom, which was met with shock and doubt throughout the boxing world despite previous talks before being officially announced later in November.
Joshua has not fought at all since his post-Oleksandr Usyk run of four consecutive wins – including against Ngannou – was ended emphatically by British rival Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in September 2024, a brutal fifth-round knockout denying him the IBF title and a third reign as world heavyweight champion.
The 36-year-old’s latest comeback has been delayed by an elbow injury which required surgery, with a low-key outing late in 2025 having initially been expected – American Cassius Chaney has since been revealed as a possible opponent – before a bumper 2026 that is expected to include a February fight in Riyadh before a high-profile bout in September in either London or Saudi Arabia, for which it is hoped that Tyson Fury can yet be coaxed out of retirement.
Joshua will not be trained by Ben Davison this time, revealing at the opening press conference that he has been with working with Team Usyk in Spain.
Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua: The Road to the Fight
Paul had been looking for a new opponent after his fight with Gervonta Davis was cancelled, and Joshua was not the first choice. However, after a public war of words with other potential opponents, Paul finally agreed to face Joshua in a lucrative deal.
Joshua, on the other hand, has been out of the ring for a while, and this fight is seen as a comeback opportunity for him. He has been training with Team Usyk in Spain and is looking to bounce back from his last defeat.
Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua Date, Start Time, Venue, and Ring Walks
Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua will take place on Friday, December 19, 2025, indoors at the 19,600-capacity Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida – home of the NBA’s Miami Heat.
The official timings for the event have yet to be confirmed, but given that Miami is five hours behind the UK, British fight fans can expect to have to either stay up very late or else set an alarm for the early hours of Saturday morning (December 20).
How to Watch Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua
The fight will be shown live and exclusive around the world on Netflix, included in all plans at no extra cost. A subscription to Netflix currently starts from £5.99 a month in the UK.
Comeback trail: Joshua has not fought since being demolished by Daniel Dubois at Wembley last year
Getty Images
Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua Rules
As with Paul vs Tyson, and in contrast to the planned Paul vs Davis fight, this bout is not an exhibition but an officially-sanctioned professional heavyweight clash that will count on Joshua’s record, which currently stands at 28-4 with 25 knockouts.
The contest is scheduled for eight three-minute rounds, with both fighters wearing 10oz gloves.
Joshua cannot weigh in at more than 245lbs per the terms of the contract, having weighed 252.5lbs for his last fight against Dubois. He was the same weight against Ngannou, 251lbs against Otto Wallin, 250lbs against Robert Helenius and a career-heaviest 255.4lbs against Jermaine Franklin.
He has not tipped the scales at less than 245lbs since weighing 244lbs for his rematch defeat by Usyk in August 2022, having put on four pounds following his initial loss to the same opponent in London 13 months earlier.
However, there is no rehydration clause in place so Joshua can weigh as much as he likes on fight night.
Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua Fight Card/Undercard in Full
Cherneka Johnson puts her undisputed status at bantamweight on the line against Amanda Galle, while WBC strawweight champion Yokasta Valle is up against Yadira Bustillos.
There is a boxing showdown between former UFC superstars Anderson Silva and Tyron Woodley, while Avious Griffin takes on Justin Cardona in a welterweight clash and professional debutant Keno Marley meets Diarra Davis Jr at cruiserweight.
Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua
Alycia Baumgardner vs Leila Beaudoin
Anderson Silva vs Tyron Woodley
Cherneka Johnson vs Amanda Galle
Yokasta Valle vs Yadira Bustillos
Avious Griffin vs Justin Cardona
Keno Marley vs Diarra Davis Jr
Face-off: Paul insists he can shock the world and secure his own fight against Tyson Fury in 2026
Getty Images for Netflix
Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua Purse
It was initially reported that Paul and Joshua would evenly split a whopping £140million fight purse, taking home a cool £70m each.
Paul has since claimed on social media that the fight will actually be worth a staggering $267m (£204m).
Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua Prediction
Despite this fight having been discussed plenty in recent times, it always seemed like fairytale stuff and not a serious or likely proposition, hence the shock when it was announced.
Some have commended Paul for his sheer bravery, others think him extremely foolish for agreeing to face far and away his best and most destructive opponent to date who could do him real damage.
Many traditional fight fans are disappointed in Joshua for accepting the bout and therefore being seen to legitimise the YouTube boxing phenomenon, particularly given how long it has been since he last fought, his need to bounce back from the Dubois defeat and the desire to finally see him face Fury at long last with a couple of genuine tune-ups behind him.
But in reality, how can anyone turn down that kind of mammoth payday which he will likely see as potentially the easiest night’s work of his illustrious career?
Let-down: Paul’s win over Mike Tyson failed to live up to the enormous hype
USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
We expect Joshua to come out and produce a statement and ruthless performance similar to the one we saw against Ngannou in Riyadh in March 2024, when he dominated and knocked down the MMA star – who himself had floored and run Fury close just a few months earlier – twice with ease before securing a savage second-round stoppage.
Joshua to win by early knockout.
Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua Betting Odds
Anthony Joshua to win: 1/12
Jake Paul to win by decision: 12/1
Jake Paul to win by knockout, technical knockout or disqualification: 9/1
Anthony Joshua to win by decision: 6/1
Anthony Joshua to win by knockout, technical knockout or disqualification: 1/5
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
Conclusion
The fight between Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua is one of the most anticipated and unexpected
