YouTube sensation turned boxer Jake Paul has claimed his upcoming opponent, former two-time world champion Anthony Joshua, has made a critical error ahead of their professional showdown this Friday.
The Weight Debate: Power vs. Precision
The high-profile heavyweight bout is set for December 19 in Miami, Florida, and will be contested over eight three-minute rounds with both men wearing 10oz gloves. A specific condition of the fight required Joshua to weigh in at under 245lbs, a significant drop from the over 252lbs he scaled for his last two fights against Daniel Dubois and Francis Ngannou.
Paul, who last fought in June with a dominant decision win over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, believes this mandated weight loss will blunt Joshua's greatest weapon. "I don't agree with the decision on his behalf," Paul stated during a recent face-off. "He's taken away his best thing against me, which is his power. We've seen him when he's a little bit lighter and there's just not as much thump on the punches."
Confidence from Both Camps
Despite questioning Joshua's strategy, the American is adamant that the scales won't decide the contest. He argues that superior skill will be the determining factor, drawing a comparison to Joshua's defeats against the technically brilliant Oleksandr Usyk. "The skills are what's going to win this fight," Paul asserted. "He's a very basic fighter and he's gotten to where he's at because of the size and because of the power."
For his part, Anthony Joshua is viewing the fight as a valuable tune-up ahead of a planned busy 2026. The Brit, who was knocked out by Daniel Dubois in the fifth round in September 2024, has vowed to score a destructive knockout and has downplayed concerns about the weight cut, having already shown a ripped physique under the limit on social media.
"I feel great. I'm blessed," Joshua said. "I feel happy that this task was put upon me because I wouldn't have pushed myself... I think it was a blessing in disguise."
How to Watch the Miami Melee
The global spotlight will be on Miami this Friday night as these two boxing stars collide. The event marks a major move for the sport's broadcasting, as the fight will stream live on Netflix. UK fans can access the platform for free as part of Sky's £15 Essential TV bundle.
With Joshua aiming to re-establish his dominance and Paul facing by far the toughest test of his boxing career, the stage is set for a compelling end-of-year spectacle.
