As first reported by The Ring’s Mike Coppinger, Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul have finalized a deal for a heavyweight fight on December 19 in Miami streaming globally on Netflix. The eight-round bout will take place at the Kaseya Center, marking one of the most commercially unique matchups in recent heavyweight history, pairing a two-time unified world champion with boxing’s most polarizing crossover star.
Joshua Returns After Dubois Loss
Anthony Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs) has not fought since suffering a fifth-round knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in September 2024. Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn hinted repeatedly that Joshua would be back before year’s end, and now the plan is clear: a December showcase against Paul before returning to Riyadh in February to begin what is expected to be a major 2026 campaign.
A unique clause in the contract: Joshua must weigh 245 pounds or less, per MVP CEO Nakisa Bidarian, after coming in above that mark for each of his last five fights.
Paul’s Opponent Switch After Gervonta Davis Fallout
Jake Paul (12-1, 7 KOs) was originally slated to face WBA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis on November 14 in Saudi Arabia. But the event was scrapped one week out following Davis’ latest domestic violence allegations.
With that card dead, Paul pivoted and now lands the biggest opponent of his career.
The fight will be contested in 10-ounce gloves, with full undercard details to be announced.
Jake Paul: “This Is Judgment Day”
Paul embraced the enormity of the moment in the official announcement.
“This isn’t an AI simulation, this is judgment day. A professional heavyweight fight against an elite world champion in his prime.
When I beat Anthony Joshua, every doubt disappears… Britain’s Goliath gets put to sleep.”
Joshua: “I’m About to Break the Internet Over Jake Paul’s Face”
Joshua, meanwhile, sees both a lucrative opportunity and a quick night’s work comparing it to his one-round destruction of Francis Ngannou in March 2024.
“Jake or anyone can get this work, no mercy… I’m here to do massive numbers, have big fights and break every record.
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.”
Turki Alalshikh’s Long Game
The Joshua–Paul fight also ties into the broader heavyweight roadmap being shaped by Saudi advisor Turki Alalshikh. During Saturday’s DAZN broadcast of Eubank Jr.–Benn II, Alalshikh teased “one of the greatest fights in the history of boxing” coming to London in September 2026 widely believed to be Joshua vs. Tyson Fury.
Alalshikh previously expressed interest in Joshua–Paul as a test: Does the former champion still have elite form? Or has Paul’s unconventional rise proven more effective than critics admit?
Now he gets his answer.
Deal Reached Despite Broadcast Obstacles
One of the main hurdles to the matchup — the fighters’ exclusive broadcast partners — was resolved during negotiations.
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Joshua is tied to a long-term, exclusive DAZN contract (since 2022).
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Paul is aligned with Netflix, beginning with his canceled 2024 matchup with Mike Tyson.
For this event, all parties agreed to stage the show exclusively on Netflix worldwide.
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Robert LaMar is a writer for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
