The boxing world is bracing for one of its most unconventional matchups yet as YouTube star Jake Paul prepares to face former unified world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in Miami next month. Matchroom Boxing confirmed on Monday that the bout will take place on December 19 at the Kaseya Center in Florida, adding yet another dramatic chapter to Paul’s fast-moving rise in the sport.
The fight will be streamed live on Netflix and is scheduled for eight three-minute rounds, with both fighters set to use 10-ounce gloves. It’s a format suited to spectacle, and with two very different personas colliding, it promises to attract massive global attention.
Paul, now 28 and holding a 12-1 professional record, continues to blur the lines between entertainment and elite boxing. After shocking the sporting world by beating heavyweight legend Mike Tyson in Texas in 2024, he followed up with a unanimous decision over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in June. He had been lined up to take on Gervonta Davis this month before that fight fell through due to a civil lawsuit involving the WBA lightweight champion.
“This isn’t an AI simulation, this is judgment day,” Paul declared. “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.”
Paul didn’t shy away from adding extra fuel to the fire, particularly for fans across the Atlantic. “To all my haters, this is what you wanted. To the people of the United Kingdom, I am sorry. On Friday, December 19, under the lights in Miami… the torch gets passed and Britain’s Goliath gets put to sleep.”
For Joshua, the matchup represents both a business opportunity and a chance to reclaim momentum. The 36-year-old hasn’t fought since being stopped by Daniel Dubois at Wembley in September last year in their IBF world title clash, but he remains one of boxing’s biggest global draws.
“It’s a big opportunity,” Joshua said. “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.”
Joshua also hinted that this type of crossover bout could become more common. “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.”
With Paul chasing legitimacy and Joshua seeking redemption, December 19 is set to deliver a spectacle that blends boxing, entertainment, and global hype in equal measure. Whether it becomes a turning point or a viral circus will only be decided when the bell rings in Miami.
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