Anthony Joshua Had Surprise Fight Pulled This Weekend After Jake Paul Agreement

Anthony Joshua was set to make a surprise return to boxing this weekend, until it was confirmed he will fight Jake Paul next month.

Earlier this week, it was officially announced that Joshua will return to the ring for the first time since being knocked out by Daniel Dubois in September last year.

He will fight Paul in Miami, Florida on December 19, with the professional bout scheduled for eight three-minute rounds.

Paul had been set to fight Gervonta Davis on November 14, but that was cancelled after Davis was accused of battery, aggravated battery, false imprisonment, kidnapping, and intentional infliction of emotional distress by his ex-partner.

With Paul keen to line up a replacement and Joshua wanting to fight before the end of the year, negotiations quickly accelerated.

Jake Paul was set to fight Gervonta Davis (Image: Getty)

It has now emerged that Joshua would have made his return to the ring this weekend if the fight with Paul had not materialised.

According to Dan Rafael, there were plans for Joshua to be added to the Ring magazine DAZN pay-per-view on Saturday night in Riyadh.

He would have faced American Cassius Chaney, who has a record of 23 wins and two losses.

Rafael reported that once the deal with Paul was agreed, Joshua's plans to fight this weekend were scrapped.

The fight has drawn widespread criticism within the boxing world, with several former professionals concerned for Paul's safety.

British heavyweights Dave Allen and David Haye have both questioned how Paul will cope against a former heavyweight world champion.

Anthony Joshua is a former heavyweight champion (Image: Getty)

It is only Paul's 14th fight since turning professional five years ago.

And although he defeated legend Mike Tyson last year, Joshua remains one of the greatest heavyweights of his generation.

The so-called 'Judgment Day' bout is expected to earn both fighters huge sums, with initial estimates putting the total prize pot in excess of £100 million.

For Joshua, he still hopes to fight another former British heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury, before he steps away from the sport.

Although Fury retired at the start of the year, Saudi promoter Turki Alalshikh has expressed confidence a fight could be arranged in 2026.

Speaking earlier this week, Alalshikh said: “We have next year two big events here in London. It will be a surprise.

“We will have Joshua in our country [Saudi] in February, then there is the big fight, one of the greatest fights in the history of boxing, it will be in London here in September.”

Although he refused to admit whether he was referring to a fight between Joshua and Fury, he said it would be a "big surprise" for English fans.

And promoter Eddie Hearn has previously said Joshua "wants more than anything" to make that fight happen.