Jake Paul is finally getting what he’s been chasing: a real heavyweight, a real test, and a real chance to get violently humbled, or to pull off the kind of upset that would melt the boxing internet into pure chaos.
On December 19, the YouTuber-turned-main-eventer will face former unified heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua in an eight-round professional bout at Miami’s Kaseya Center, streamed live on Netflix. It’s the purest version yet of modern boxing’s show-business era: storyline-first, purists outraged, promoters ecstatic.
For Paul, 12-1 with seven knockouts, this is a leap into a division where power solves problems fast. His last fight in June, a surprisingly disciplined points win over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, built momentum. This one detonates it.
“This isn’t an AI simulation. This is Judgement Day,” Paul told Netflix. “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. To all my haters, this is what you wanted.”
Joshua, 36, carries a different storyline: rebuilding. The Brit hasn’t fought since losing to Daniel Dubois in their IBF title showdown in September 2024, and he’s returning with the energy of someone who wants to dominate headlines again, by any means necessary.
“Jake or anyone can get this work,” Joshua said. “No mercy. 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 … I’m about to break the internet over Jake Paul’s face.”
Joshua remains an Olympic gold medallist, a two-time unified champion, and a puncher whose power is something Paul has never been anywhere near.
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