Blockbuster Boxing: Anthony Joshua to Fight Jake Paul in Miami
In a stunning development that has sent shockwaves through the boxing world, Anthony Joshua is finalising a deal to face YouTube sensation-turned-boxer Jake Paul in a heavyweight bout this December. The fight, scheduled for either 19 or 26 December in Miami, marks Joshua's first appearance in the ring since his defeat to Daniel Dubois over a year ago.
From Cancelled Event to Major Matchup
The path to this unexpected showdown began when Paul's originally scheduled fight against Gervonta Davis on 14 November was abruptly cancelled. The event fell apart after Davis faced serious domestic violence allegations from his former partner, Courtney Rossel, who filed a civil lawsuit in Miami-Dade County. The lawsuit accused the lightweight champion of battery, false imprisonment, and kidnapping, prompting Miami Gardens police to open an investigation.
Paul's promotion company, Most Valuable Promotions, and streaming partner Netflix swiftly scrapped the show. Paul publicly condemned Davis on social media platform X, calling him "an actual walking human piece of garbage" and apologising to all affected by the cancellation.
Rapid Negotiations Bring Joshua into Frame
With Davis out of the picture, Paul's team explored several high-profile alternatives including Ryan Garcia and undisputed super middleweight champion Terence Crawford. However, talks quickly accelerated with former two-time unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, creating what promises to be one of the most talked-about fights of the year.
Joshua, 36, hasn't fought since being stopped by Daniel Dubois in the fifth round in September 2024. His promoter, Eddie Hearn, had indicated the British boxer hoped to return before year's end, making this December bout perfect timing for both fighters.
Netflix's Boxing Dominance Continues
The fight will stream globally on Netflix, continuing the platform's aggressive move into live sports broadcasting. Netflix's boxing ventures have already proven massively successful - their first boxing show featuring Paul's bout with Mike Tyson became the most-streamed sporting event in history.
According to company data, the Paul-Tyson fight peaked at 65 million live concurrent streams and drew an estimated 108 million average live viewers worldwide. The broadcast accounted for 56% of all US television viewing during the fight's main event hour and was Netflix's number one title that week across 78 countries.
A source familiar with the current deal confirmed that Netflix expects to lock in the exact date before Monday's official announcement. For Joshua, this represents a crucial return to the spotlight after more than 15 months away from competitive boxing, while for Paul it offers another opportunity to prove his credibility against an established champion.
