Former YouTuber Jake Paul (12-1, 7 KOs) has maintained he wants to be taken seriously as a boxer and, in fact, harbors bold aspirations of someday becoming a world champion. He will have a massive opportunity to prove the latter and take a step toward the latter in about a month when he takes on one-time Olympic gold medalist and former world champion Anthony Joshua (28-4).
How Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua Wound Up Facing Each Other
This Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua fight was put together rather hastily as they weren’t actually scheduled to fight to begin with. Originally, Paul was slated to go up against WBA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis in a catchweight. But legal troubles hounded Tank yet again, leading to the original plan being canceled.
But rather than end the year sitting it out, Paul and his team looked for someone to step in at a later date, and Joshua answered the call. Now, Paul will end up fighting in December against a fighter bigger than him in what could be a career-defining moment.
Is Paul–Joshua an Exhibition or Actual Fight?
No, Paul and Joshua won’t be holding an exhibition. Their scheduled bout is an actual professional fight and will count in their respective win-loss ledgers. It will be an eight-round scrap and will take place at heavyweight, but with the stipulation that Joshua cannot weigh more than 245 pounds on the official weigh-in. The two will be using 10-ounce gloves.
“This isn’t an AI simulation. This is Judgment Day,” Paul said in a statement. “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…”
Fight Date and Venue—and Where to Watch
Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua will take place in Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, on December 19, US time (December 20 in the Philippines). It will be aired exclusively on Netflix at no additional charge to existing subscribers. The actual fight card begins at 8:00 p.m. ET (9:00 a.m. in the Philippines), though the undercard is still to be announced.
