Anthony Joshua’s headline-grabbing heavyweight bout with Jake Paul will take place next month in Miami, it has been confirmed.
Daily Mail Sport understands the fight, which will be held on December 19 at the Kaseya Center, will carry a £140million prize pot with an even split between the two-time heavyweight world champion and the 28-year-old YouTuber.
The eight-round affair, which will be contested in three-minute rounds and with 10oz gloves, marks the first fight for Joshua, 36, since he was crushed by Daniel Dubois 14 months ago.
It will also require some drastic adjustments to the boxers’ weights, with the limit being set at 245lbs. Joshua has weighed more than 250lbs in each of his last five fights, while Paul weighed around just 200lbs for his last bout in June. The general secretary of the British Boxing Board of Control has said a clash between these two would not be sanctioned on British soil.
‘Jake or anyone can get this work. No mercy,’ Joshua said in a statement.
‘I took some time out and I’m coming back with a mega show. It’s a big opportunity for me. Whether you like it or not, I’m here to do massive numbers, have big fights and break every record whilst keeping cool, calm 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.’
‘We talk about these types of matches with AJ and Paul. I’m totally against it. I don’t understand the reason AJ would want to do it,’ he told The Sports Agents.
‘We haven’t had any conversations with anybody [about sancitoning it] and I’d find it extremely surprising if the board agreed for that to happen in this country. I can’t see it happening here. I don’t see the reason for it.’
Paul controversially beat 58-year-old Mike Tyson on points last November and most recently defeated former world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr by unanimous decision in June. His only loss came at the hands of Tommy Fury in March 2024.
The Youtuber-turned-boxer had originally been scheduled to take on Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis at the same venue on November 14, but the event was cancelled following Davis’ arrest.
The world lightweight champion was accused of battery, aggravated battery, false imprisonment, kidnapping and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The allegations resulted in the cancellation of the planned 195lb exhibition, prompting Paul to seek a new opponent for a rearranged December date.
After his fight against Joshua was confirmed, promoter Eddie Hearn said: ‘They say be careful what you wish for, kind of feel like that’s all I need to say.
‘Two of the biggest names in the sport will collide on December 19. Whilst I admire Jake’s b*****, he’s going to find out the hard way in Miami.’
Nakisa Bidarian, CEO of Most Valuable Promotions, added: ‘Everyone laughed when Jake Paul said in March that he wanted to fight AJ in 2026.
‘Well, plans changed, and in under two weeks, MVP and Netflix have made one of the biggest fights of all-time. Now, as only Jake Paul could and would do, he’s fighting one of the most fearsome boxers in the world.
‘Joshua has every advantage in this fight, except one – the delusional confidence of Jake Paul, and if anyone can shock the world, it’s him. This is a global clash between two of the most recognisable figures in the sport: Jake, the face of boxing’s new era, and Joshua, the King of UK boxing.’
Hearn had previously indicated that Joshua was seeking a tune-up fight after his defeat to Daniel Dubois at Wembley. He said AJ had been lining up a top-100 opponent, but the lucrative offer on the table for a fight with Paul swayed him.
The promoter also outlined a longer-term plan for Joshua to have one or two more bouts before a potential showdown with Tyson Fury in 2026 – an event Turki Alalshikh has publicly expressed interest in delivering.
Joshua has already agreed to terms for the fight, though it remains unclear whether Fury, currently claiming to be retired, has done the same.
Alalshikh hinted that progress was being made when he appeared on DAZN’s broadcast of the Chris Eubank Jr vs. Conor Benn rematch.
Hearn confirmed that Joshua’s clash with Paul will be a full professional contest fought at heavyweight under Queensberry rules, not an exhibition.
It has also been confirmed that the bout will air on Netflix despite Joshua’s long-standing exclusive deal with DAZN.
According to reports, DAZN was compensated heavily to allow Joshua to compete on a rival platform.
A press conference for the fight between Paul and AJ is due to take place in Miami on Friday afternoon.
