In a stunning turn of events, former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has agreed to face YouTube sensation turned boxer Jake Paul in a professional bout this December.
From Cancelled Fight to Blockbuster Showdown
The announcement comes after Jake Paul's planned fight with lightweight king Gervonta Davis was abruptly cancelled. Davis was forced to pull out after facing serious allegations from his ex-girlfriend. Eager to secure another fight before the year's end, the 28-year-old Paul, who last fought in June, publicly called out several big names. Anthony Joshua surprisingly answered the call.
The high-profile dust-up is now officially scheduled to take place in Miami this Christmas and will be broadcast live globally on the streaming service Netflix, marking a significant moment for the platform.
Official Rules and Professional Status Confirmed
While official fight rules are yet to be published, clarity has been provided on the nature of the contest. Nakisa Bidarian, Paul's business partner, has explicitly confirmed that the showdown will be pursued as a straight-up professional heavyweight fight.
Bidarian acknowledged the significant experience gap between the two fighters but highlighted a key difference from Paul's previous high-profile bout. "Joshua's an active heavyweight. The likelihood of Anthony Joshua being able to land a heavyweight punch is much higher than what Mike Tyson had," he stated, referencing Paul's previous fight with the aging legend.
He also revealed his initial caution, advising Paul to wait longer to improve his skillset to neutralise Joshua's power. "But when an opportunity is there," Bidarian added, "sometimes if you don't take it, it never comes back."
What This Means for the Boxing World
This fight represents a major crossover event, blending the traditional world of elite heavyweight boxing with the new era of influencer-led combat sports. For Anthony Joshua, it is a lucrative and high-profile event as he continues his career. For Jake Paul, it is by far the most formidable challenge of his boxing career, stepping into the ring with a genuine, active world-class heavyweight.
All eyes will now be on Miami this December as these two giants from very different backgrounds prepare for a blockbuster showdown that promises to capture the attention of sports fans worldwide.
