This weekend, the boxing world will witness one of its most unconventional yet significant events as former two-time world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua steps into the ring to face YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul. The professional bout, ending Joshua's 14-month hiatus, represents the most formidable challenge of Paul's fighting career to date.
When And Where To Watch The Fight
The seismic heavyweight clash is scheduled for Friday 19 December at the Kaseya Centre in Miami. For viewers in the UK, the main event is expected to begin in the early hours of Saturday morning. Ring walks for the headline fight are anticipated from around 3:30am GMT on Saturday 20 December.
In a major shift for the sport, the event will not be on traditional pay-per-view. Instead, it will be streamed live globally on Netflix. This means the fight is available to all existing and new subscribers at no extra cost, making it freely accessible to a massive audience.
Fight Rules And Background
This is a sanctioned professional contest, not an exhibition. The result will go on both men's official records and a knockout is a very real possibility. The fight is set for eight three-minute rounds, with both fighters wearing standard 10oz gloves. Joshua has agreed to a weight limit, not exceeding 245lb on the day before the bout.
Joshua enters the fight following a stoppage loss to Britain's Daniel Dubois in September 2024. Paul, meanwhile, was originally slated to face Gervonta Davis in an exhibition last November, but those plans were derailed by legal issues. The odds heavily favour the experienced former champion, with Joshua a 1/10 favourite and Paul a 6/1 underdog.
Joshua has been characteristically confident in the build-up, stating: "Jake or anyone can get this work, no mercy... I’m about to break the internet over Jake Paul’s face."
Full Fight Card And Undercard
The event features a stacked undercard with multiple title fights. The full lineup confirmed for the evening is as follows:
- Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul (heavyweight)
- Alycia Baumgardner (C) vs Leila Beaudoin (IBF, WBO women’s super-featherweight titles)
- Anderson Silva vs Tyron Woodley (cruiserweight)
- Jahmal Harvey vs Kevin Cervantes (super-featherweight)
- Cherneka Johnson (C) vs Amanda Galle (IBF, WBC, WBO women’s bantamweight titles)
- Caroline Dubois (C) vs Camila Panatta (WBC women’s lightweight title)
- Yokasta Valle (C) vs Yadira Bustillos (WBC women’s strawweight title)
- Avious Griffin vs Justin Cardona (welterweight)
- Keno Marley vs Diarra Davis Jr (cruiserweight)
This crossover event marks a pivotal moment for boxing's relationship with streaming platforms and celebrity influence. A victory for Paul would be a monumental upset, while a win for Joshua is seen as a necessary step back towards the summit of the heavyweight division. All eyes will be on Netflix this Friday night for a fight that promises to break the traditional mould.
