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Hearn Reveals Weight Gamesmanship as Joshua–Paul Heavyweight Fight Nears

The Dec. 19 Miami bout is a sanctioned eight-round fight with 10oz gloves under a 245 lb limit for Joshua that streams worldwide on Netflix.

Overview

  • Eddie Hearn said he told Jake Paul’s team Joshua was as heavy as 290 lb during negotiations, preceding the agreed 245 lb cap for the former champion.
  • Joshua, recently around 265 lb per his promoter, is expected to cut weight for the matchup after more than a year out since his 2024 loss to Daniel Dubois.
  • Joshua has linked up with members of Oleksandr Usyk’s team in camp, while Paul accepted heavyweight sparring from Lawrence Okolie and welcomed Jared Anderson and Frank Sanchez.
  • Concerns over size and safety continue, with Tony Bellew questioning whether Paul will enter the ring and Usyk likening the matchup to a Rolls‑Royce versus a Fiat.
  • The event is reported to carry a prize pot near £140 million and an undercard featuring Alycia BaumgardnerLeila Beaudoin and Anderson SilvaTyron Woodley.