Upcoming Boxing Match: Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua
This Friday, December 19, the Kaseya Center in Miami will host a highly anticipated boxing match between Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua, streaming live on Netflix. The fight comes just two days away, generating significant buzz across sports media, given its unusual pairing of a social media influencer and a seasoned heavyweight champion.
Fighter Profiles
Jake Paul, who boasts a record of 12 wins, including 7 knockouts, and one defeat, is stepping in to face Anthony Joshua, a formidable opponent with a distinguished career as a two-time heavyweight world champion, holding an impressive record of 28 wins and 4 losses with 25 of those wins by knockout.
This bout will consist of eight rounds, each lasting three minutes and fought with 10-ounce gloves. The preliminaries are slated to start at 4:45 p.m. ET on Netflix’s Tudum platform, while the main card will kick off at 8 p.m. ET, accessible to all Netflix subscribers free of charge. Audience members can expect the heavyweight clash to begin around 10:30 p.m. ET.
Joshua’s Background
Joshua, standing tall at 6-foot-6 with an 82-inch reach, is not just another opponent for Paul; he is an Olympic gold medalist and a contemporary giant in the boxing world. Despite a recent defeat to Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in September 2024, Joshua’s prowess was showcased earlier in the year when he decisively knocked out UFC legend Francis Ngannou in just over two rounds.
Paul’s Journey in Boxing
Jake Paul has stirred mixed reactions within the boxing community since he transitioned from YouTube fame to professional boxing in 2020. The 28-year-old entertainer has managed to surprise critics with wins against athletes from diverse sports, including famed MMA fighters and former professional boxers. Most notably, he secured victories over recognized names like Anderson Silva and Nate Diaz. However, he faced his only setback against Tommy Fury in 2023, losing by split decision.
Fight Details and Undercard
The stark physical differences between the fighters have been highlighted during their promotional events, with Joshua’s weight cap set at 245 pounds for the upcoming weigh-in, contrasting with Paul’s initial prep for a lighter catchweight bout against Gervonta Davis. As the event approaches, fans are also treated to a robust undercard featuring four women’s championship matches, showcasing the talents of female boxers, alongside notable former UFC fighters like Silva and Woodley competing in the preliminary rounds.
This duel represents not only a clash of different boxing styles but also highlights the growing intersection between traditional sports and modern celebrity influence.
Fight Card Breakdown
Main Card (Netflix, 8 p.m. ET):
- Heavyweight: Anthony Joshua vs. Jake Paul
- IBF/WBO/WBA Super Featherweight Championship: Alycia Baumgardner vs. Leila Beaudoin
- Cruiserweight: Anderson Silva vs. Tyron Woodley
- Featherweight: Jahmal Harvey vs. Kevin Cervantes
Preliminary Card (Tudum, 4:45 p.m. ET):
- Undisputed Bantamweight Championship: Cherneka Johnson vs. Amanda Galle
- WBC Lightweight Championship: Caroline Dubois vs. Camila Panatta
- WBC Strawweight Championship: Yokasta Valle vs. Yadira Bustillos
- Welterweight: Avious Griffin vs. Justin Cardona
- Cruiserweight: Keno Marley vs. Diarra Davis Jr.
