A fight between Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua no longer is in negotiations.
It’s real, as in going to happen, according to a news release issued by Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), co-founded by Paul. MVP is partnering with Netflix, which will livestream the fight on Dec. 19 at Kaseya Center in Miami.
Without even stepping into the ring, Paul may have won another fight – against critics who have mocked him for the caliber of his opponents. Those opponents include a YouTuber, a retired NBA player, four MMA fighters and the 58-year-old version of Mike Tyson.
Joshua, a two-time world heavyweight champion, clearly would present Paul with his toughest test yet.
But an important detail remains unknown – if the fight will be an exhibition or a sanctioned pro bout. Clearly, a sanctioned pro bout would do more to legitimize Paul’s willingness to fight high-caliber opponents.
Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua size, weight and records
Boxing commissions could balk at sanctioning the fight because Joshua has considerably more experience and has fought far superior boxers. To wit:
Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs) has been in 13 title fights. Paul (12-1, 7 KOs) has been in 13 fights, total.
Joshua has fought Oleksandr Usyk, the current undisputed heavyweight champion. (He lost both bouts by decision.) Paul has touted the significance of a victory over former world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., even though Chavez had not held a world title since 2012.
Paul partnered with USA Boxing before the 2024 Summer Olympics. Joshua won a gold medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics.
In addition to a wide edge with experience and quality of opponents, Joshua would also have a size advantage.
Joshua is 6-6 and has weighed in at 250 pounds or more for his last five bouts. Paul is 6-1 and typically fights as a cruiserweight, which has a 200-pound maximum for the weigh-in.
The only time Paul fought as a heavyweight was against Tyson. Paul weighed in at 227 pounds before a victory by unanimous decision over Tyson, who weighed in at 228 1/2 pounds.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua fight officially on with date, time
