From the Stranger Things department, The Problem Child- Jake Paul has gone from facing the legally embroiled WBA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis, to facing…according to legitimate reports…former unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, on December 19th, at the Kaseya Center in Miami, live on Netflix. The fight will be scheduled for 8 x 3-minute rounds and be contested with 10-ounce gloves, the norm for heavyweight boxers.
Here’s what the involved parties had to say:
Jake Paul:
“This isn’t an AI simulation. This is Judgment Day. A professional heavyweight fight against an elite world champion in his prime. When I beat Anthony Joshua, every doubt disappears, and no one can deny me the opportunity to fight for a world title. To all my haters, this is what you wanted. To the people of the United Kingdom, I am sorry. On Friday, December 19, under the lights in Miami, live globally only on Netflix, the torch gets passed and Britain’s Goliath gets put to sleep.”
Anthony Joshua:
“Jake or anyone can get this work. No mercy. I took some time out and I’m coming back with a mega show. It’s a big opportunity for me. Whether you like it or not, I’m here to do massive numbers, have big fights and break every record whilst keeping cool, calm and collected. Mark my words, you’ll see a lot more fighters take these opportunities in the future. I’m about to break the internet over Jake Paul’s face.”
Nakisa Bidarian, CEO of Most Valuable Promotions:
“Everyone laughed when Jake Paul said in March that he wanted to fight AJ in 2026. Well, plans changed, and in under two weeks, MVP and Netflix have made one of the biggest fights of all time. Now, as only Jake Paul could and would do, he’s fighting one of the most fearsome boxers in the world. Joshua has every advantage in this fight, except one — the delusional confidence of Jake Paul, and if anyone can shock the world, it’s him. This is a global clash between two of the most recognizable figures in the sport, Jake, the face of boxing’s new era, and Joshua, the King of UK boxing.”
Eddie Hearn, CEO of Matchroom Promotions:
“They say be careful what you wish for, kind of feel like that’s all I need to say. Two of the biggest names in the sport will collide on Dec 19. Whilst I admire Jake’s balls, he’s going to find out the hard way in Miami.”
Interestingly, this fight pits Paul against his former legal adversary, promoter Eddie Hearn, after their $100 million lawsuit was dismissed in March of this year. The suit stemmed from comments Paul made in an interview, claiming Hearn paid judges to score in favor of his own fighters- namely Katie Taylor (against Paul’s fighter- Amanda Serrano). The terms of the settlement remain undisclosed.