Overview
- Joshua and Paul meet on Dec. 19 at Miami’s Kaseya Center in a professionally sanctioned heavyweight fight streamed live on Netflix over eight three-minute rounds with 10oz gloves and a 245 lb cap for Joshua.
- Joshua told ESPN there is zero chance the bout goes the distance and rejected suggestions of any clause requiring him to ease off.
- Paul predicted a fifth- or sixth-round knockout and highlighted heavyweight sparring with Lawrence Okolie, Jared Anderson and Frank Sanchez after training left him with a black eye and a notably crooked nose.
- Ex-champion Carl Froch cast doubt on the intensity of Paul’s reported sparring, while UFC great Demetrious Johnson argued a Paul knockout is possible based on Joshua’s past vulnerabilities.
- DraftKings lists Joshua as a heavy favorite at around -1200, and Tyson Fury has shifted his forecast to the fight going the distance on points.