In a blockbuster announcement that has sent shockwaves through the sporting world, the heavyweight clash between Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul has been officially confirmed. The pair will meet in the ring on Friday, December 19 at the Kaseya Center in Miami, with the entire event set to be broadcast live on Netflix.
The Stakes and The Purse
This is no mere exhibition. Daily Mail Sport reveals the fight carries a colossal £140million prize pot, which will be split evenly between the two combatants. For Joshua, the 36-year-old two-time heavyweight world champion, this marks his first return to the ring since his devastating defeat to Daniel Dubois 14 months ago. His opponent, the 28-year-old YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, boasts a professional record of 12 wins and one loss, that sole defeat coming at the hands of Tommy Fury.
A Twisted Path to Fight Night
The road to this confirmation was not straightforward. Paul was originally scheduled to face Gervonta 'Tank' Davis in November at the same venue. However, that event was cancelled following Davis’ arrest on serious charges including battery, kidnapping, and false imprisonment. This cancellation prompted Paul to seek a new, high-profile opponent for a rearranged date in December, ultimately landing the biggest name of his boxing career so far.
Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn had previously indicated that Joshua was seeking a simpler 'tune-up' fight to ease back into competition after the Dubois loss. Hearn stated that AJ had been lining up a top-100 opponent for November. However, the lucrative offer for a fight with Paul was too significant to ignore, convincing Joshua and his team to prioritise these negotiations.
Future Plans and Platform Shake-up
Looking beyond this December spectacle, Hearn outlined a longer-term strategy for Joshua, suggesting one or two more bouts before a potential super-fight with Tyson Fury in 2026. Turki Alalshikh has publicly expressed interest in delivering that event. It is understood that Joshua has already agreed to terms for a Fury fight, though Fury's participation remains uncertain as he currently claims to be retired.
In a major move for sports broadcasting, the fight will air on Netflix, despite Joshua's long-standing exclusive deal with DAZN. Reports confirm that DAZN was heavily compensated to allow Joshua to compete on a rival platform. The contest will be a full professional contest fought at heavyweight under Queensberry rules. A press conference in Miami on Friday afternoon will formally launch the event.
