Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has announced a sensational return to boxing with a high-stakes fight against YouTube sensation turned professional boxer Jake Paul.
The Comeback Clash
The highly anticipated bout is scheduled for Friday, 19 December 2025 in Miami, marking Joshua's first appearance in the ring since his surprising defeat to British compatriot Daniel Dubois in September 2024. That match at Wembley Stadium ended with Joshua losing the IBF world heavyweight title in the fifth round.
This comeback fight will consist of eight three-minute rounds, with both athletes wearing 10oz gloves. The event will be broadcast live globally exclusively on Netflix, representing a significant move for the streaming platform into major sporting events.
Fighters' Form and Confidence
Anthony Joshua, now 36 years old, brings an impressive professional record of 28 wins and four losses. After taking more than a year away from the sport, the British boxer has returned with bold promises and unwavering confidence.
"I took some time out and I'm coming back with a mega show," Joshua declared. "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."
In a particularly vivid warning to his opponent, Joshua stated: "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." He promised the American "no mercy" ahead of his highly anticipated return to professional boxing.
Paul's Path to Judgement Day
For Jake Paul, this fight represents another step in his controversial but successful boxing career. The 28-year-old holds a 12-1 record and was originally scheduled to face Gervonta Davis this month, but that bout was cancelled following a civil lawsuit filed against the WBA lightweight champion.
Paul last fought at heavyweight in November 2024 when he defeated the legendary Mike Tyson by unanimous decision. That match marked the 58-year-old Tyson's first fight in nearly two decades. Paul followed that victory with another unanimous decision win against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in June 2025.
Paul has dramatically labelled the Miami showdown as "Judgement Day," claiming that victory over Joshua would silence his critics forever. "A professional heavyweight fight against an elite world champion in his prime," Paul said. "When I beat Anthony Joshua, every doubt disappears and no one can deny me the opportunity to fight for a world title."
In a direct message to British fight fans, Paul added: "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."
This cross-over fight continues the trend of social media influencers entering professional boxing, though this match represents Paul's most significant challenge to date against an established world champion in Joshua.
