In one of the most unexpected but undeniably lucrative pairings in modern boxing. Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul are finalizing a deal to meet in a heavyweight fight this December in Miami. Multiple sources confirmed to The Ring. The event is slated to stream live on Netflix, continuing the platform’s aggressive push into combat sports. Joshua and Paul initially held discussions over the summer, but negotiations stalled primarily over broadcast conflicts. Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs) is tied exclusively to DAZN. while Paul aggressively pushed to stage his next bout on Netflix. Following the massive viewership of his exhibition with Mike Tyson last year. Those hurdles have now been resolved, clearing the way for a blockbuster crossover fight that brings mainstream attention and massive paydays for both men.
Joshua Looking for a Tune-Up After Layoff
Promoter Eddie Hearn revealed this week that Joshua, 36, was eyeing a late-year warm-up bout as he continues rebuilding from his September 2024 loss to Daniel Dubois, who stopped the former unified heavyweight champion in five rounds. With renewed buzz surrounding a potential Tyson Fury showdown in 2026, Joshua sought a low-risk, high-profile return. Jake Paul, surprisingly, checks those boxes. Joshua, long accustomed to global stadium events, is no stranger to unconventional matchmaking. Just last year, he delivered a highlight-reel second-round knockout against former UFC champion Francis Ngannou.
Jake Paul’s Biggest Challenge By Far
For Paul (12-1, 7 KOs), the matchup represents a staggering step up in competition. The YouTuber-turned-contender has built momentum behind wins over ex-MMA champions and fringe boxing names. But has never faced a world-class heavyweight with Joshua’s pedigree, size, or power. Paul is coming off a decision win against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. this past summer, continuing his incremental climb in boxing ability but Joshua represents an entirely different universe. Sources told The Ring that Paul also explored fights with Terence Crawford and Ryan Garcia. Crawford declined, while Garcia was unavailable due to his upcoming welterweight title bout against Mario Barrios.
The timing worked perfectly: Paul needed a new headliner after Gervonta Davis was pulled from last week’s scheduled Netflix exhibition due to domestic violence allegations. Joshua needed rounds. Netflix needed a marquee fight to anchor its December programming push. The result is a matchup that blends spectacle with legitimate danger particularly for Paul, who for the first time will be standing across from a true elite heavyweight still near his prime. The fight will be one of the most-watched sporting events of the year, and a major inflection point for Paul’s credibility and Joshua’s comeback arc.
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Robert LaMar is a writer for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
