British-Nigerian boxing star Anthony Joshua has officially announced a professional heavyweight bout against Jake Paul, scheduled for Friday, December 19, at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. The fight will be streamed worldwide on Netflix.
The matchup marks Joshua’s return to the ring following a shocking fifth-round knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in September 2024, after a previous win over Francis Ngannou in 2023. His professional record currently stands at 28–4, with 25 victories by knockout.
The fight will follow standard Queensberry rules across eight three-minute rounds, with both fighters using 10-ounce gloves. Joshua is restricted to a maximum weigh-in of 245 pounds, down from the 252.5 pounds he entered the Dubois fight.
While Joshua seeks a comeback, Jake Paul enters the bout riding high after a headline-grabbing win over former champion Mike Tyson in November 2024. The YouTuber-turned-professional boxer has leveraged social media to hype the fight, calling it “Judgement Day,” while Joshua has promised to “show no mercy” in pursuit of both victory and a major payday.
Netflix’s broadcast of Paul vs Tyson proved highly lucrative, generating tens of millions for Paul and setting expectations for another financially significant event. For Joshua, a win would restore some credibility and strengthen his brand, particularly in the U.S., where Paul commands a massive following.
Separately, discussions are ongoing regarding a potential 2026 return fight for Joshua in Africa, with Nigeria and Ghana under consideration. Promoter Dr. Ezekiel Adamu, who recently staged a major Lagos boxing event, confirmed preliminary talks for a headline bout in Lagos in the first quarter of 2026. Such a fight would mark Joshua’s first professional contest on African soil, fulfilling a longstanding personal ambition.
Heavyweight contender Martin Bakole has also expressed interest in facing Joshua should the Africa-based fight materialize, further adding to speculation about a landmark event on the continent.
