FORMER world champion Anthony Joshua and YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul have now finalised agreement on a deal for a heavyweight fight.
The bout will be streamed on Netflix on December 19 in Miami, United States of America.
Nigerian-Briton Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs) has not boxed since his fifth-round stoppage defeat by Daniel Dubois in September 2024, though Matchroom chief Eddie Hearn repeatedly teased the possibility of the two-time unified champion returning to action before the year’s end.
Now, the plan is for him to box Paul (12-1, 7 KOs) in a scheduled eight-rounder before kickstarting his 2026 campaign in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital city sometime in February.
Paul was originally slated to face WBA lightweight world champion Gervonta Davis (30-0-1, 28 KOs) in the same city and venue on November 14, before the entire event was shelved on a week’s notice after the unbeaten beltholder’s latest domestic violence allegations.
Per MVP’s press release, their fight will be contested with 10oz gloves while information relating to undercard bouts and co-main event details will be settled in the coming weeks.
MVP CEO Nakisa Bidarian has since told Sky Sports that Joshua will have a 245-pound weight limit restriction placed on him, having tipped the scales heavier than that in each of his last five bouts following an unsuccessful two-fight series with undisputed titleholder Oleksandr Usyk.
Paul was quoted as saying: “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 – the torch gets passed and Britain’s Goliath gets put to sleep.”
Joshua meanwhile, acknowledged the lucrative opportunity on offer to make another quick night’s work – ala Francis Ngannou in March 2024 – against a famous YouTube personality.
The two-time world champion said: “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 while 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.”
The event’s tagline is deemed Judgment Day, with the kick-off press conference scheduled for Friday.
With Ring report