Heavyweight boxing's most unexpected showdown faces serious doubts just weeks before the fighters are set to meet in the ring, according to a top professional boxer.
Garcia's Shocking Prediction
Professional boxer Ryan Garcia has expressed serious reservations about whether the highly anticipated bout between Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua will actually take place. The YouTuber-turned-boxer is scheduled to face the former two-time heavyweight champion on December 19 in Miami, but Garcia believes the fight might not happen after witnessing the fighters face off.
"I seriously doubt this Jake vs Anthony fight takes place. It's too much of a disadvantage, just don't make sense. After the press conference that's apparent," Garcia wrote in a social media post that has sent ripples through the boxing community.
Fight Details and Recent History
The scheduled bout between Paul and Joshua will be staged over eight three-minute rounds, with both fighters wearing 10oz gloves. Paul hasn't fought since his decision victory over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr back in June, while Joshua has been inactive since suffering a brutal knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in September 2024.
This isn't the first time Paul has faced fight cancellations recently. His planned bout with Gervonta Davis earlier this month was scrapped after Davis faced serious legal accusations from an ex-girlfriend, including charges of battery, false imprisonment and kidnapping.
The Heated Exchange
Paul didn't take Garcia's comments lightly, firing back at the professional boxer with sharp criticism of his own career trajectory. "What don't make sense is you fighting for a WBC belt after coming off an a** whooping by Rolly [Romero]," Paul responded, referencing Garcia's upcoming clash with Mario Barrios.
The tension between Paul and Garcia isn't new. After Paul's clash with Davis fell through, the social media star had called out several boxing stars, including Garcia. However, streaming service DAZN reportedly blocked the potential matchup, with MVP chief Nakisa Bidarian suggesting they believed "Jake could beat Ryan Garcia" and that "wouldn't have been great for an asset they have in Ryan Garcia."
In contrast, Bidarian noted that DAZN approved the Joshua fight because "they believe AJ is going to kill Jake Paul."
How to Watch the Potential Showdown
Should the fight proceed as scheduled, Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul will clash in Miami on December 19, just six days before Christmas. The event is set to be shown live on Netflix, with walk-out times expected around 11pm local time (4am UK time), though these are subject to change based on the undercard duration.
British fans can watch the fight through Netflix, which is available for free with Sky's £15 Essential TV bundle, described as the brand's 'lowest ever price' for Sky TV.
As the boxing world waits to see if Garcia's prediction proves accurate, both camps continue preparations for what would be one of the most talked-about boxing events of the year.
