The heavyweight boxing world is about to deliver one of the most unlikely clashes: the former two-time world champion and Olympic gold medalist Anthony Joshua vs. the YouTuber-turned-fighter, Jake Paul.
Set for December 19, 2025, in Miami, this fight promises massive attention because, for Paul, it isn’t just another spectacle; it is his first true heavyweight bout and, by far, his most dangerous and competitive assignment in his career. For Joshua, it’s a chance to reassert his dominance on the global boxing stage; however, he cannot afford to underestimate the former YouTube superstar.
Right now, what matters the most is to show you everything you need – when the fight is, what to expect, and much more. So stay with us – the most interesting part is yet to come.
When is the Joshua Paul Fight?
Many of you wonder about the Joshua vs Paul fight schedule. And here is the answer: the fight is scheduled for Friday, December 19, 2025, at the Kaseya Centre in Miami, Florida. The Joshua vs. Jake Paul fight stream will start at 8 p.m. Eastern Time (3 a.m. on December 20th in South African Time). So, mark your calendar and check your local time.
Keep in mind that this time, the fight is not an exhibition – it is a sanctioned professional heavyweight bout, meaning the outcome will count on the boxers’ records.
Why Jake Paul’s Next Fight Matters?
What makes that clash interesting is that it is more than just a fight – it is like a cultural collision. On one side is Anthony Joshua – an Olympic gold medalist, two-time unified heavyweight champion, an athlete who has more than 30 professional bouts and shared the ring with some of the best, including Pulev, Klitschko, Andy Ruiz Jr., Usyk, Whyte, Povetkin and many others.
On the other side is Jake Paul, who has gained international fame doing pranks and challenges on YouTube. While Joshua steps into the ring to reclaim relevance, for Paul, that fight is about legitimacy. While he has had 13 professional bouts in his career, some of his opponents were questionable, to say the least.
He recorded against Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley, Anderson “Spider” Silva, and Nate Diaz, all of whom are pretty much washed former MMA stars. His only loss was against Tommy Fury, the younger brother of Tyson Fury. Back then, the media claimed that in his first fight against a high-level opponent, Jake just couldn’t keep up. So, against Joshua, he should position himself as a true boxer, or he risks facing the same output from the media and boxing fans.
Joshua Paul Fight Rules
Because this is considered a professional bout instead of an exhibition fight, there are some rules that you need to know beforehand. Here is a short breakdown of the most important of them:
- The fight will be contested over eight rounds, each lasting three minutes.
- Both fighters will wear 10-ounce gloves, which are the standard for heavyweight professional bouts.
- Although classified as a heavyweight, Joshua has an agreed-upon weight limit of 245 lbs.
- All other standard rules apply – knockdowns count, judges score at the end if the fight goes the distance, there will be a neutral referee, etc.
The only difference is the 8-round format, instead of the typical 12, which substantially changes the pacing; we can expect increased urgency from both participants.
What’s at Stake for Both Fighters
For non-fans, this fight may seem like just a spectacle, but the consequences for both athletes are very real and, in fact, very different. Jake Paul still waits for his legacy to be defined. Behind Joshua’s back is a decade in the heavyweight division to protect. Understanding each man’s motivation for this match is essential to understanding the weight of this matchup.
- Avoiding the most damaging loss of his career – a defeat from a former YouTube star would overshadow every belt he’s ever won;
- Restoring his elite heavyweight status – Joshua had a few setbacks, and this is the moment to rebuild his confidence.
- A path toward another world title run – After he lost the undisputed title to Usyk 4 years prior, Joshua needs to keep himself in the conversation for the biggest fights.
- Prove he is more than a celebrity boxer – Paul’s opponents so far have been smaller men, older MMA fighters or mid-level pros. Facing a former two-time heavyweight champion is the first real test and will instantly change how fans or media perceive him.
- More future opportunities – a strong showing will lead to more megafights, bigger paydays, or even crossover events with the UFC, PFL, or any other major fighting leagues.
- Protecting his business – Boxing is a huge piece of Jake Paul’s brand. An early loss will not end his career, but it will damage him. The media will treat it as proof that he was never ready for a true opposition – a repeat of the Tommy Fury narrative, but amplified.
Physical and Technical Comparison
You’ve probably heard it before – styles make fights. And this one features two completely different fighters. Joshua comes across as a disciplined and polished elite striker, while Paul is athletic with a completely different skill set. Their physical differences are listed below – what will tip the scales in any of them’s favour? We’ll see on December 19th.
- Height: ~6’6″ (198 cm).
- Reach: ~82″ (208 cm) (publicly reported stats).
- Style: orthodox, textbook arsenal, heavy jab, combination power.
- Strengths: size, reach, experience, power.
- Weaknesses: He is sometimes over-cautious and historically vulnerable to early pressure.
- Height: ~6’1″ (185 cm).
- Reach: ~76″ (193 cm) .
- Style: orthodox, sleeve of athleticism, counter-puncher with selective power.
- Strengths: confidence, marketing power, improved boxing fundamentals.
- Weaknesses: size disadvantage, fewer fights vs elite opponents, less experienced in high-level competition.
In pure boxing terms, Joshua holds a clear advantage. Paul must compensate via timing, chaos and mental edge.
Joshua and Paul Form and Preparation
In 2024, Joshua lost to Daniel Dubois via KO, and the preparation for this fight came as a pivotal moment in his career. His strategy is most likely focused on returning to fundamentals – a less cautious style, a more decisive and aggressive approach to apply pressure, and fewer feints and empty moves.
His current game plan is complemented by sparring with heavyweight boxers, which will help him emphasise power across the initial rounds, hoping for an early finish.
For Paul, this fight camp is more about transformation. His leap from a cruiserweight to heavyweight is massive, and while he isn’t small at all, it should take time to get used to the additional weight and muscles on his body. So, in addition to bulking, Paul focuses more on speed and durability, but also on absorbing heavy shots, which is crucial when your margin of error is that small.
How the Joshua vs Paul Fight Is Likely to Unfold
Joshua will try to set the pace early with his jab, and you can expect him to take control. Because Joshua is taller and his reach is longer, his jab will likely be his main tool in the early rounds. As the fight settles around 2nd or third round, we will probably start seeing power shots behind the jab. Paul should start with his counter punches, which he is really good at.
However, the fight is eight rounds instead of 12 – the limit is essential. So, Joshua will not need to save energy for a very long fight. If he can defend against Paul’s attacks, we will probably see him take more risks early on in order to secure an early finish.
Because of the height and weight difference, and of course the experience, Joshua will probably dominate the fight. The main task in front of Paul is to survive the early storm, to move a lot and use every punch from the British as a chance for a counterattack.
Risk Factors & Variables
On paper, Joshua should win this fight comfortably. But boxing ain’t that simple. Styles, psychology and even external pressure can lead to much more unpredictable situations. That’s why you ned to look at the variables that could steer the things away from the obvious path.
In the past, Anthony Joshua liked to start slow, and it usually took him a few rounds to settle. When he becomes too cautious, he uses his jab to measure range, instead of a weapon, which, in the long run, makes his opponent more comfortable with his moves.
Jake Paul enjoys being in front of the cameras and on big stages. He is willing to take risks to make the fights more entertaining. This can lead to awkward moments for his opponent, especially when he is a more traditional and structured fighter, such as Joshua.
The 12-round championship distance is more comfortable for boxers like Joshua. This means less time for Joshua to systematically break Paul down and more opportunities for something unexpected to happen early. Shorter fights tend to favour the underdog, because they rely on one big moment instead of asserting dominance.
The physical gap between the two men is huge – Joshua is a full-size heavyweight, while Paul is just moving up. This creates a different kind of risk – if Joshua lands cleanly and often, it becomes a safety concern for Paul. Some boxing commentators even questioned whether that was a competitive matchup or a mismatch.
Where Can I Bet on the Joshua Paul Fight
If you are looking for a website to wager on Joshua vs Paul, virtually all leading sportsbooks in South Africa offer markets for this fight. Here is a list of some of the most suitable bookies that offer an extensive range.
- Superb sportsbook
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Best Markets & Odds on Joshua Paul Fight
When you take a look at that fight, there are certain markets that make more sense. Some outcomes are trusted because they align with physical and technical realities, while others may sound tempting due to the higher returns. However, the latter rely on far less likely scenarios. Here are the markets that are worth considering for that fight, explained in simple and practical terms.
- Joshua by KO/TKO – This remains the clearest and most expected outcome. It’s treated as a safe option because of Joshua’s size, power advantage and finishing ability.
- Under Round – Going for an early finish makes sense for the same reason – the gap between the two fighters suggests this won’t be a slow and tactical match. You can expect Joshua to impose himself quickly, and this market perfectly reflects that scenario.
- Joshua to score a knockdown – Given Joshua’s punching power and Paul’s lack of experience at heavyweight, a knockdown is a very realistic outcome.
- Paul by KO – The bigger the risk, the higher the payout. While Paul has power, especially in his right hand, he needs to land the perfect shot early to pull this off. If you want to chase big payouts and bet against what most of the analysts expect to see, here is your chance.
- Fight to go the distance – With the size, pace and physicality of the two athletes, a full eight-round battle is considered unlikely. That’s why the return is bigger.
Anthony Joshua Jake Paul Fight Live
The fight streams live globally on Netflix, included at no extra cost for existing subscribers, on December 20th at 3 a.m. (South African time).
If you don’t have an active subscription to Netflix, there may be an alternative solution available, called live streaming. Most South African bookmakers offer a wide range of live-streamed events. That said, you only need a positive balance in your wallet in order to access them. Check out where this fight will be available live.
AI Round-by-Round Simulation
The outcome below is generated entirely by AI and is presented exactly as produced, without any human editing or adjustments. It is included purely for entertainment and does not reflect the official analysis or prediction in this article.
Round 1
Joshua takes centre ring immediately, pumping a stiff jab to control distance. Paul stays light on his feet, trying to angle for his right-hand counter, but Joshua’s reach keeps him outside. A few body jabs from Joshua force Paul backwards.
Round: Joshua 10–9
Round 2
Joshua doubles the jab and steps in behind it with more confidence. Paul clips him with a short counter right midway through the round — his best moment so far — but it doesn’t change the dynamic. Joshua keeps walking him down, touching him to the head and body, forcing clinches.
Round: Joshua 20–18
Round 3
Joshua turns the pressure up and forces exchanges.
Early in the round, the key sequence lands clean:
- Joshua fires a double jab.
- Paul tries to slip inside and throw the counter right.
- Joshua anticipates it, shortens his right hand, and lands it high on Paul’s temple.
Paul’s legs dip, and he backs up quickly to reset. He’s not hurt badly, but the power difference is obvious. Joshua stays patient, keeps him behind the jab, and works the body whenever Paul shells up.
Round: Joshua 30–27
Round 4
Paul begins the round trying to move more, but Joshua’s jab traps him repeatedly.
About a minute in, the decisive moment happens:
- Paul backs toward a neutral corner under steady jab pressure.
- Joshua feints the right hand — Paul ducks slightly to his right.
- Joshua fires a short right uppercut, followed instantly by a left hook.
The uppercut lands flush, dropping Paul to a knee for the first knockdown of the fight.
Paul beats the count at eight, but his legs aren’t fully back. Joshua closes the show like a seasoned heavyweight: jabs him back to the ropes, lands a heavy right hand, and forces the referee to stop it as Paul stops answering cleanly.
Result: Joshua wins by TKO (Round 4)
Why This Outcome Makes Sense
- Physical gap: Joshua is a full, elite heavyweight; Paul is entering this weight class for the first time. The power difference shows early.
- Experience: Joshua has faced world champions; Paul has never dealt with this level of pressure or timing.
- 8-round pace: Joshua doesn’t need to conserve energy — he can engage earlier than in a 12-round fight.
- Paul’s narrow win path: He needs a perfect counter early, but Joshua’s jab, discipline and range reduce that window.
- Accumulated damage: Even blocked shots hurt when the size gap is this big — by Round 3–4, survival becomes the main task.
