Anthony Joshua has successfully made weight for his upcoming bout against Jake Paul, achieving this goal two weeks ahead of schedule.
The former two-time heavyweight champion had been out of action since suffering a devastating fifth-round knockout defeat at the hands of Daniel Dubois in September 2024. Following the injuries sustained in the clash with Dubois, Joshua took a break from boxing to recuperate.
After undergoing a successful elbow surgery, Joshua wasted no time in returning to training. He is anticipated to have a relatively straightforward victory over the boxing novice Paul before gearing up for a significant year of fights in 2026. The highly-anticipated professional heavyweight showdown between Joshua and Paul is scheduled for December 19 in Miami.
The match will consist of eight rounds, each lasting three minutes, with both fighters using 10oz gloves. While Paul is expected to comfortably return to the heavyweight division, Joshua faced a challenge of meeting a weight limit of under 245lb for the fight.
The clash between Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul is set to take place in Miami on December 19, with the event being broadcast live on Netflix. Viewers can access the fight for free by subscribing to Sky’s £15 Essential TV package, which is being promoted as the ‘lowest ever price’ for Sky TV.
Despite initial concerns about Joshua needing to shed 20lb to meet the weight requirement, the British boxer surprised many by revealing his current weight of about 111kg (244.7Ib) over two weeks before the fight. Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, confirmed that the fighter is already in Miami and is in excellent physical condition for the upcoming bout.
Hearn expressed confidence in Joshua’s preparation, highlighting the fighter’s dedication and focus on meeting the specific weight requirement for the match. A victory in this fight could serve as a significant confidence booster for Joshua as he looks ahead to potential future bouts, including a possible summer showdown with Tyson Fury in 2026.
Plans are also underway for Joshua to participate in major boxing events in London next year, with Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh hinting at exciting developments in the sport. Alalshikh teased upcoming events featuring Joshua, including a significant fight in September that is expected to be a highlight for boxing fans in England.
The much-anticipated clash between Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul in Miami is scheduled just six days before Christmas. The fight is projected to commence around 11pm local time, translating to 4am in the UK. Event timings are subject to change based on the undercard duration and are typically structured to cater to the American audience. Viewers can catch the action live on Netflix.