In a move that has sent shockwaves through the boxing world, Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul are reportedly close to finalising a deal for a heavyweight showdown in Miami. The unexpected bout is currently slated for Friday, December 19, positioning it as a major pre-Christmas sporting spectacle.
The Staggering Stakes and Ongoing Negotiations
According to multiple reports, the potential prize pot for this crossover clash is nothing short of gargantuan. The Daily Mail revealed that a sum of around $185 million (£140 million) has been mooted, with plans for an even split between the two-time heavyweight world champion and the YouTuber-turned-boxer.
However, Joshua's promoter, Eddie Hearn, has stressed that a deal is not yet finalised. He confirmed to the Daily Mail that negotiations are ongoing for what would be Joshua's first fight since his bruising defeat by Daniel Dubois 14 months ago. Despite the lack of a signed contract, there is a growing expectation that an official announcement could come as early as next week.
Significantly, if it goes ahead, the match will not be billed as an exhibition, lending it a serious competitive edge.
Fighters' Form and Legacy Concerns
For the 36-year-old Joshua, this fight represents a controversial step. Following his loss to Dubois, a bout with Jake Paul threatens to divide opinion and, as many fear, undermine his impressive legacy built on victories over legends like Wladimir Klitschko.
Jake Paul, 28, brings a record of 12-1 with seven knockouts. His last fight was a unanimous decision victory over former middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in June. Paul's sole loss came against Tommy Fury. He was recently ranked by the World Boxing Association as a cruiserweight, meaning he would need to step up in weight to face the heavyweight Joshua.
The American was scheduled to face Gervonta Davis, but that bout was cancelled due to allegations of domestic violence against Davis.
Boxing World Reacts With Outcry and Pragmatism
The news has provoked a significant backlash from fans and pundits alike. Many have taken to social media to express their dismay, with one fan stating on X that Anthony Joshua will wreck his legacy with a "demeaning" fight against Paul.
Veteran heavyweight Derek Chisora set a high bar for Joshua's performance, insisting that nothing less than a devastating win would be acceptable. "AJ has to smoke him in three rounds," Chisora told iFL TV, drawing a comparison to Joshua's swift victory over Francis Ngannou.
Yet, not everyone in the sport is critical. Promoter Frank Warren offered a more pragmatic view, telling Daily Mail Sport: "People are going to criticize it but I don’t see it that way... It will get a huge audience – AJ doesn’t cause a lot of noise in the US and Paul does."
Despite the potential windfall from the Paul fight, Eddie Hearn reaffirmed that Joshua's ultimate goal remains a career-reviving clash with fellow British heavyweight Tyson Fury, which is being targeted for 2026.
