Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has admitted to a cheeky deception during negotiations for Anthony Joshua's upcoming fight against YouTube star Jake Paul. The heavyweight showdown, set for Friday, December 19 in Miami, will see the former two-time world champion face the social media sensation in a professional bout contested over eight three-minute rounds with both men wearing 10oz gloves.
The Negotiation Trick
In a recent interview with BBC Radio 5 Live, Hearn revealed he deliberately misled Paul's team about Joshua's current weight to secure the short-notice fight. "I spoke to [Joshua], and he was sitting at 265 pounds or something like that. I think I told Nakisa [Bidarian, Paul's business partner] that he was 290 pounds or something like that," Hearn confessed. The promoter stated he initially expressed disinterest in a spectacle involving "balloon gloves and two-minute rounds," but was assured it was a legitimate contest.
The negotiations led to an unusual compromise for the 36-year-old Joshua. While Paul is moving up to heavyweight for only the second time in his career, Joshua has been mandated not to weigh more than 245lb for the bout. This represents a significant 20lb cut for the Brit, whose last two fights against Daniel Dubois and Francis Ngannou saw him tip the scales at 252lb.
Path to the Miami Showdown
Jake Paul, 28, was originally scheduled to fight last month against lightweight star Gervonta Davis. That bout was cancelled after Davis faced serious allegations, leading Paul to reserve a slot in Miami for December. After issuing several public challenges, it was Anthony Joshua who accepted the fight on short notice.
Paul, who last fought in a decision win over former champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, was preparing to weigh around 195lb for the Davis fight. His move to the heavyweight division presents a stark physical challenge against the seasoned Joshua, despite the weight restriction placed on the Olympic gold medallist.
Joshua's Vow and Fight Details
Despite the weight cut, Joshua is taking preparations seriously and has vowed to make a brutal statement. "It's not a win for me if I just beat him; I need to knock him out," Joshua declared. "I'm going to break his face and break his body. I'm here to prove I'm the better fighter and will do that until I stop fighting. I'm going to expose him to certain tricks in boxing that he maybe hasn't seen yet."
The event will be streamed live on Netflix, with the main event walk-expected around 11pm local Miami time (4am UK time) on December 19. The timing is tailored for an American audience, though it is subject to change based on the undercard duration. For UK fans, Sky is offering a bundle including Netflix for £15 per month, marketed as their 'lowest ever price' for Sky TV.
This high-profile clash marks a pivotal moment for both fighters as Joshua looks to rebuild towards a world title shot in 2026 and Paul seeks the most credible victory of his boxing career.
