The matchup between Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul appears to have taken a major step forward, with reports suggesting the pair will meet on December 19, just six days before Christmas, as according to Ring Magazine’s Mike Coppinger, the deal is close to being finalized.
Paul turned his attention to Joshua after his Netflix-headlined exhibition with Gervonta Davis was scrapped following domestic abuse allegations against the lightweight champion. With Davis pulled from the event, speculation quickly grew that Paul would pivot toward a far bigger, higher-risk opponent. Joshua, who has not fought since suffering a knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois in September 2024, was initially ruled out by promoter Eddie Hearn, but reports now indicate the fight is on the brink of becoming reality - and not as an exhibition.
Financial details underline the magnitude of the spectacle. The Daily Mail claims the prize pot will reach a staggering £140 million, to be split evenly between both fighters. Despite that, Hearn maintains that Joshua’s long-term focus remains a 2026 showdown with Tyson Fury, saying: “The focus for us really is 2026 and that is a big fight in February or March and then Tyson Fury. We want the real stuff but we want the business as well.”
Reactions across the boxing world have been mixed, with some calling the matchup dangerous for Paul. Veteran heavyweight Derek Chisora warned that Joshua will not take the fight lightly. “AJ took a year out, easy fight for him… AJ is going to smoke him,” Chisora told iFL TV.
Image Credit: Getty Images