YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul will take on former two-time unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in a professional heavyweight bout on December 19 at Miami’s Kaseya Center, Most Valuable Promotions confirmed to ESPN on Monday. The fight will be streamed live worldwide on Netflix.
The match is set for eight three-minute rounds, with both fighters using standard 10-ounce gloves.
Paul, 27, had originally been scheduled to face WBA lightweight champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis in an exhibition on November 14, but that fight was canceled after Davis was named in a civil lawsuit alleging aggravated battery, false imprisonment, kidnapping, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Now, Paul faces a two-time heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medalist who has fought at weights up to 256 pounds—more than 100 pounds heavier than Davis. Paul, primarily a cruiserweight with a 200-pound limit, weighed 227.25 pounds in his 2024 heavyweight exhibition against Mike Tyson.
“This isn’t an AI simulation. This is Judgment Day,” Paul said. “A professional heavyweight fight against an elite world champion in his prime. When I beat Anthony Joshua, every doubt disappears, and no one can deny me the opportunity to fight for a world title. On Friday, December 19, under the lights in Miami, live globally on Netflix, the torch gets passed and Britain’s Goliath gets put to sleep.”
Paul (12-1, 7 KOs) is still inexperienced, with no notable amateur career and just 70 professional rounds since 2020. Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs), by contrast, has over 160 professional rounds across a 12-year career and is considered one of the hardest-hitting and most decorated heavyweights in the world.
“Jake or anyone can get this work. No mercy,” Joshua, 36, said. “I took some time out and I’m coming back with a mega show. This is a big opportunity. Whether you like it or not, I’m here to do massive numbers, have big fights, and break every record while staying cool and collected. Mark my words, you’ll see a lot more fighters take these opportunities in the future. I’m about to break the internet over Jake Paul’s face.”
Joshua’s last fight came in September 2024, when he was stopped in the fifth round of his IBF title bout against Daniel Dubois. He later underwent elbow surgery and had been sidelined. Promoter Eddie Hearn had previously said Joshua would fight once in 2025 before targeting a major all-British heavyweight showdown with the retired Tyson Fury, but the bout against Paul was not anticipated.
“Everyone laughed when Jake Paul said in March that he wanted to fight AJ in 2026,” said Nakisa Bidarian, CEO of Most Valuable Promotions. “Plans changed, and in under two weeks, MVP and Netflix made one of the biggest fights of all time. Now, Jake Paul is facing one of the most fearsome boxers in the world. Joshua has every advantage except one—the delusional confidence of Jake Paul. If anyone can shock the world, it’s him. This is a global clash: Jake, the face of boxing’s new era, versus Joshua, the King of UK boxing.”
The fight was originally scheduled for 2026 but was brought forward following the cancellation of the Davis bout. Most Valuable Promotions acted quickly to secure Joshua as Paul’s opponent.
“They say be careful what you wish for—that’s all I need to say,” Hearn added. “Two of the biggest names in the sport will collide on December 19. While I admire Jake’s courage, he’s going to find out the hard way in Miami.”
