Overview
- Multiple outlets report Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul are working to finalize a professional heavyweight fight for December in Miami, with Dec. 19 most frequently cited and Netflix expected to stream.
- Eddie Hearn says a decision on Joshua’s next bout is imminent but stresses that nothing is confirmed and no contract has been signed.
- Paul’s business partner Nakisa Bidarian and Hearn have indicated the matchup is being pursued as a standard professional contest under Queensberry rules rather than an exhibition.
- The proposed fight raises commission and rules questions given the significant size gap between Joshua, who weighed about 252 lbs in his last outing, and Paul, who has competed around 199–227 lbs.
- The matchup emerged after Paul’s planned exhibition with Gervonta Davis was canceled following a civil lawsuit and police inquiry, and unverified reports of a very large prize pot have circulated.