Jake Paul has annoyed plenty of people since breaking into boxing in 2020 from fighters to promoters to fans who view him as more showman than contender. Now, the former YouTuber turned fringe cruiserweight is stepping into the most dangerous matchup of his career.
On Friday night at the Kaseya Center in Miami, streaming live on Netflix, Paul (12-1, 7 KOs) will finally meet a true elite boxer in Anthony Joshua, the former two-time unified heavyweight champion. And Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s longtime promoter, believes Paul is about to pay for years of bold claims.
Hearn: “Boxing Doesn’t Have to Worry… He’s Going to Get What’s Coming to Him”
After listening to Paul repeatedly insist he could beat some of the best fighters in the world, Eddie Hearn says he’s thrilled the talk is over and the moment of truth has arrived. “Boxing doesn’t have to worry, it’s in good hands,” Hearn said with a grin. “He’s going to get what’s coming to him on Friday. We’ll take care of business.”
Paul has made a name fighting former MMA champions, a retired NBA player, and a handful of aging or inactive boxers. But none of them resemble Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs), a man who has held three heavyweight titles and spent nearly a decade at the top of the division.
Why Joshua Is Back And Why Paul Got the Fight
Joshua was expected to sit out 2025 after suffering a brutal fifth-round stoppage loss to Daniel Dubois in September 2024. But when Gervonta Davis was removed from the planned Paul exhibition due to a civil lawsuit involving serious allegations, Matchroom and Most Valuable Promotions sought a blockbuster replacement.
Joshua answered the call. Despite being a massive betting favorite, questions linger about Joshua’s ring rust something Paul and his camp have tried to capitalize on. Wins over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and a 58-year-old Mike Tyson have boosted Paul’s confidence, even if neither victory came against a prime, elite boxer.
Hearn Believes Joshua Only Needs One Clean Shot
None of that concerns Eddie Hearn, who insists Paul’s power and athleticism won’t matter once Joshua lands a meaningful punch. “The only way he can get lucky is if he doesn’t get hit flush,” Hearn said.
“If he just gets half a shot, he’ll get knocked out but it won’t be too bad. If he gets hit clean, he’s in big trouble.”
Joshua’s 25 knockouts speak for themselves, and Paul despite his improvements has never faced anyone remotely close to the Brit’s level of size, technique, or punching power.
The Verdict: A Career-Changing Night Ahead
For Paul, this is more than a celebrity boxing spectacle. It’s a crossroads moment:
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Beat Joshua, and he becomes a legitimate force in the sport.
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Lose badly, and critics will claim the experiment is over.
For Joshua, it’s a chance to regain momentum and deliver a reminder of what separates world-class heavyweights from influencers.
Either way, Friday night promises drama, spectacle, and a definitive answer to the Jake Paul question.
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Robert LaMar is a writer for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
