As the hour of the fight between Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua draws closer, questions continue to emerge about whether this is a legitimate boxing match or simply a scripted spectacle-one in which the YouTube star might already know he will win regardless of what his British opponent brings into the ring.
However, Paul, Joshua, and those around both camps have been clear in stating that this is a real fight, with no predetermined outcome. Jake Paul will need to be at his best if he hopes to defeat the former heavyweight champion.
At the weigh-in, Joshua came in under the 245-pound mark at 243 pounds, while Paul was significantly lighter at 216.6 pounds. At first glance, the YouTube star may appear to have an advantage due to his lighter frame and increased mobility, but he will be facing a powerful opponent whose punches carry serious weight. Anthony Joshua has not been this light since his fight against Oleksandr Usyk in September 2021, when he weighed in at 240 pounds.
Why the Paul vs. Joshua fight will feature a bigger ring
For Friday night’s bout in Miami, the ring will measure 22 by 22 feet–larger than the standard 20 by 20 feet typically used in professional boxing, though still well within regulation limits.
The decision was made to provide a greater sense of action and movement for both the live audience and fans watching globally on Netflix.
Still, some boxing analysts believe the larger ring could work in Paul’s favor, giving him more space to move, circle, and avoid prolonged exchanges at close range. The added room could allow him to rely on mobility and footwork to create a physical advantage against Joshua.
The fight is scheduled for eight rounds of three minutes each. This marks a change from Paul’s bout against Mike Tyson, which also went eight rounds but featured two-minute rounds instead.
Contrary to earlier speculation, the fighters will wear standard 10-ounce gloves rather than the 14-ounce gloves used in the Tyson fight. This detail dispels the notion that promoters are attempting to protect Paul. Fourteen-ounce gloves are larger and more padded, reducing impact. With 10-ounce gloves-the boxing standard-knockouts are easier to produce, and it becomes far more difficult for fighters to hide behind their gloves.
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