Hardly anyone expects a competitive fight, but the combat sports world will turn its eyes to Miami on Friday, where YouTuber boxer Jake Paul will take on heavyweight star Anthony Joshua.
It’s a huge step forward for Paul, who weighed 216 pounds on Thursday, in more ways than one. Joshua, for his part, was contractually obligated to weigh no more than 245 pounds, eventually reaching 243.4 pounds.
Competing primarily as a cruiserweight (the exception being late-1950s Mike Tyson in a much-maligned sideshow last year), Paul has mostly fought older, retired mixed martial artists whom he vastly outmatched: Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley (both welterweights), and Anderson Silva (a middleweight well into his 40s).
Against Tyson he fought a boxing legend well past his prime, in Tommy Fury, one of the few real, active boxers with whom Paul has shared the ring, he was outclassed. That against a boxer with a poorly padded record whose opponents offer a combined record of 36-177-5 as of December 2025.
Now Jake Paul will take on a legitimate heavyweight boxing champion with all the skill and power that comes with being a former WBA, IBO, IBF and WBO heavyweight boxing champion. Aside from the weight difference and skill difference, Joshua is six inches taller than Paul, and even though he’s eight years older, he’s a spring chicken compared to Paul’s usual opponents.
Paul vs. Joshua will be broadcast live on Netflix on Friday, December 19. The event will take place at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida.
#Jake #Paul #Anthony #Joshua #weight #Netflix #Boxing #Spectacle