Two of boxing’s most polarizing figures, Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul, will face off in a sanctioned, eightround heavyweight bout on December 19 at the Kaseya Center in Miami, in what promises to be one of the sport’s most talked-about crossover events of the year.
The fight, billed as Jake vs. Joshua: Judgment Day, will stream worldwide on Netflix, according to an announcement from Most Valuable Promotions (MVP).
This matchup comes on the heels of Paul‘s scheduled fight with Gervonta “Tank” Davis being canceled, and it instantly becomes a defining moment for both men.
At 28-1, Paul is stepping into the ring with one of the most decorated heavyweights of his generation.
For Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs), it’s a high-stakes return after suffering a knockout loss to Daniel Dubois last year.
The details behind the big fight
Paul, the YouTuber-turned-boxer, made his intentions obvious from the start. “I like to challenge myself, I like to fight the biggest, the best, any time, any place, I truly mean that!” he said at a press conference Friday.
“Anthony Joshua was always in the plans after Gervonta (Davis). … Anthony Joshua said yes and he was ready to go in December, so let’s run it.”
On the other side, Joshua, a former unified heavyweight champion, framed the fight as more than just a lucrative payday, it’s a chance to rebuild.
“This is a great opportunity for me, an opportunity to come back and fight. It’s massive, colossal … we’re bringing the whole world together to witness this – two guys who want to put on a great show.”
What’s on the line for Joshua and Paul
Jake Paul framed the fight with his trademark bravado: “This isn’t an AI simulation. This is Judgment Day.”
He added that a victory over Joshua would silence critics and earn him a shot at world title contention:
“When I beat Anthony Joshua, every doubt disappears and no one can deny me the opportunity to fight for a world title.”
He even addressed British fans directly: “To all my haters, this is what you wanted. … To the people of the United Kingdom, I am sorry.”
For Paul, the fight is a leap in legitimacy. He’ll compete under full professional rules, with heavyweight dimensions, eight three-minute rounds, and 10-ounce gloves.
Joshua, for his part, welcomed the challenge with measured intensity: “Jake or anyone can get this work. No mercy.”
He described his return as “a mega show” and made it clear his ambitions remain sky-high:
“I’m here to do massive numbers, have big fights and break every record whilst keeping cool, calm and collected. I’m about to break the internet over Jake Paul’s face.”
The December 19 date has been in the works for weeks. According to MVP, tickets for the event went on sale November 21, and fans can sign up for presale via the official event site.
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