Paul vs Joshua: The Fight Everyone Doubted Would Happen Is Coming December 19
On December 19, the YouTuber-turned-boxer faces Anthony Joshua at Kaseya Center in Miami. This is the biggest test of Paul‘s boxing career. Joshua is a former two-time unified heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medalist. Paul is 28 years old with a 12-1 record. The fight streams live on Netflix. It consists of eight three-minute rounds with 10-ounce gloves.
From YouTube to Heavyweight Boxing
Paul has only 70 total rounds boxed as a professional since 2020. He started his boxing journey fighting other social media stars. His opponents gradually improved. He beat MMA fighters like Tyron Woodley and Anderson Silva. He defeated former NBA player Nate Robinson.
In June 2025, Paul earned a unanimous decision victory over former world champion Julio César Chávez Jr. That performance earned him a WBA cruiserweight ranking. Paul’s fight against Mike Tyson in 2024 generated massive viewership, reportedly becoming one of the most-watched boxing events in recent memory. Exact global viewership numbers, including the 108 million claim, remain unconfirmed. Now he steps up to face a legitimate heavyweight champion. This is different from anything Paul has done before.
Joshua’s Championship Pedigree
Anthony Joshua won Olympic gold for Great Britain at London 2012. He turned professional and dominated the heavyweight division. In 2016, Joshua claimed his first world title by stopping Charles Martin. The next year came his defining moment.
Joshua defeated Wladimir Klitschko in front of 90,000 fans at Wembley Stadium. That victory unified heavyweight titles and established his legacy. Joshua’s current record stands at 28-4 with 24 knockouts. He has over 160 rounds boxed in 12 years as a professional. His last fight was a fifth-round knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in September 2024. He underwent elbow surgery after that defeat.
How This Fight Came Together
Paul originally targeted Joshua for a 2026 fight. But plans changed after his November bout against Gervonta Davis was canceled due to reported legal developments. Most Valuable Promotions has not confirmed the official reason. No official reason has been confirmed by Most Valuable Promotions.
Paul needed a new opponent quickly. Joshua became available. Negotiations finalized in November 2025. The fight was officially announced on November 17. The boxing world was stunned.
The Stakes
This fight carries high stakes for both men, but for very different reasons. For Jake Paul, it’s all about validation. Despite his growing success in the ring, critics still call him a sideshow or a marketing gimmick. But Paul sees this bout as a defining moment.
“This isn’t an AI simulation. This is Judgment Day,” he told Netflix. “A professional heavyweight fight against an elite world champion in his prime.” He firmly believes that beating Anthony Joshua will silence the doubters once and for all.
“When I beat Anthony Joshua, every doubt disappears,” Paul stated. His goal is to earn a legitimate world title shot, and this fight, in his view, is the ticket to that opportunity.
On the other side, for Anthony Joshua, this is more than just a comeback, it’s a business-savvy power move. Following his knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in 2024 and a necessary elbow surgery, Joshua took time off to recover both physically and mentally. Now, he’s ready to return to the spotlight in a big way.
“Jake or anyone can get this work. No mercy,” Joshua declared.
More than just a fight, Joshua sees this event as a megashow with global appeal. “Whether you like it or not, I’m here to do massive numbers,” he said.
Looking ahead, Joshua even suggested that he’s setting a trend. “Mark my words, you’ll see a lot more fighters take these opportunities in the future.”
Ultimately, Paul fights for credibility. Joshua fights for legacy and leverage. Together, they’re about to collide in a matchup no one expected, but now, no one can ignore.
The Size Factor
While there has been talk of Jake Paul’s camp requesting a weight cap, no official clause has been confirmed. Joshua typically fights around 250 pounds, whereas Paul has ranged from 200 to 227 pounds in previous bouts. If agreed upon, a weight limit would help level the playing field. However, as of now, no formal weight restriction has been publicly disclosed.
December 19 in Miami
The fight takes place at Kaseya Center, home of the NBA’s Miami Heat. It streams live at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on Netflix. For UK viewers, the event begins at 1am GMT on Saturday, December 20. The full undercard has not yet been officially announced. Rumors suggest names like Anderson Silva and Tyron Woodley may appear, but no matchups have been confirmed by promoters. Miami will be the center of the boxing world that night. Kaseya Center will be packed.
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