Jake Paul Faces Heavyweight Champ Anthony Joshua in Highly Anticipated Bout

The social media star turned boxer takes on the two-time unified heavyweight champion in a historic showdown.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 12:59pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting the boxing match between Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua, with the figures and ring broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes in a vibrant color palette.The highly anticipated showdown between rising star Jake Paul and heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is set to unfold in a visually striking cubist interpretation.Westlake Today

Jake Paul, a rising star in the boxing world, is set to face off against the legendary Anthony Joshua in a highly anticipated match tonight in Miami. Paul, who has a professional record of 12 wins, 1 loss, and 7 knockouts, will be the heavy underdog against Joshua, a two-time unified heavyweight champion with an impressive 28-4 record and 25 knockouts. The bout will be streamed live on Netflix, making it accessible to fans around the world.

Why it matters

This fight represents a significant moment in Jake Paul's transition from social media personality to legitimate professional boxer. A win over the accomplished Joshua would cement Paul's status as a force to be reckoned with in the sport and potentially lead to even bigger matchups in the future. For Joshua, a loss to the younger, less experienced Paul could tarnish his legacy and raise questions about his ability to compete at the highest level.

The details

The fight is scheduled for 8 PM tonight, December 19, 2025, at the Kaseya Center in Miami. Paul weighed in at 216.6 pounds, while Joshua came in at 243.4 pounds, just under the contractual limit of 245 pounds. The bout will be available for streaming on Netflix, with commentary in multiple languages.

  • The fight is scheduled for 8 PM tonight, December 19, 2025.
  • The main event ring walks are expected around 10:30 PM.

The players

Jake Paul

A 23-year-old professional boxer from Westlake, Ohio, with a record of 12 wins, 1 loss, and 7 knockouts. He is currently ranked as the No. 14 cruiserweight by the WBA.

Anthony Joshua

A two-time unified heavyweight champion who has held the WBO, WBA, and IBF titles. He is an Olympic gold medalist with a professional record of 28 wins, 4 losses, and 25 knockouts.

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What they’re saying

“Absolutely. And rightly so. It's smart of him to take this seriously because I believe he understands that this fight could represent the biggest loss of his career. He has a lot at stake, and I plan to exploit that. I know those nerves will kick in once he realizes what I can do in the ring.”

— Jake Paul

“If I can finish my opponent, I will. It's part of the job. Not everyone understands the nature of what we do in the ring, but it's a dangerous sport. While we hope our opponents leave unscathed, our primary focus is performing our duties as fighters. It's strictly professional, not personal.”

— Anthony Joshua

“If that happens, you move on. You learn from it, and I'll be back headlining fights in no time. Every fighter experiences losses; they're part of the journey. When I finally decide to retire, I want people to remember me as a tough competitor who gave it his all. That's what matters. I've faced setbacks, but I'm resilient.”

— Anthony Joshua

What’s next

The winner of the fight between Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua will likely go on to face other top-ranked boxers in their respective weight classes, potentially setting up even bigger matchups in the future.

The takeaway

This fight represents a significant moment in Jake Paul's transition from social media personality to legitimate professional boxer. A win over the accomplished Anthony Joshua would be a historic upset and cement Paul's status as a rising star in the sport, while a loss would be a setback but not the end of his boxing career.