Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul Set For December 19th

In a bombshell announcement that’s already sending shockwaves through the boxing world, former two-time unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua will square off against YouTube sensation turned pugilist Jake Paul in a sanctioned eight-round bout on December 19 at Miami’s Kaseya Center.  The fight, billed by promoters as “Judgment Day,” is set to stream live on Netflix, promising to eclipse the platform’s record-breaking Mike Tyson vs. Paul event from last November, which drew over 108 million average live viewers worldwide. 

The matchup came together swiftly after Paul’s scheduled exhibition against lightweight champ Gervonta “Tank” Davis fell apart on November 14 amid serious domestic violence allegations against Davis, including a lawsuit filed by his ex-girlfriend accusing him of battery, false imprisonment, and more.  With the card already locked in for Miami and Netflix on board, Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions pivoted to Joshua, the 36-year-old British powerhouse who’s been out of action since a fifth-round stoppage loss to Daniel Dubois in September 2024.  Talks accelerated over the weekend, and by Monday, both Matchroom Boxing (Joshua’s promoter) and MVP had inked the deal, confirming the “colossal global showdown.” 

For Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs), this is a high-stakes tune-up as he eyes a blockbuster trilogy with rival Tyson Fury in 2026.  The Olympic gold medalist from 2012 hasn’t fought in over a year but insists he’s sharper than ever. “No mercy,” Joshua declared in a statement. “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. 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.”  Reports suggest the payday could top £140 million ($180 million) for Joshua, though the bout would have been outright banned in the UK due to safety concerns over the short notice and Paul’s opponent history.