Topics: Jake Paul, Anthony Joshua, Boxing
Here's everything we know about Anthony Joshua vs. Jake Paul amid stunning reports claiming the heavyweight fight is a 'done deal'.
Paul was set to return to action on Friday until his exhibition bout against Gervonta Davis was scrapped after a civil lawsuit was filed against the world lightweight champion.
But it appears Joshua will replace Davis and face Paul in a blockbuster clash next month.
Joshua, a two-time world heavyweight champion, hasn't fought since his devastating knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in September 2024.
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A fight to tick over has been mooted, having recovered from elbow surgery.
It appears the Paul fight will serve as a tune-up ahead of potentially facing domestic rival Tyson Fury next year.
So, what do we know about Joshua vs. Paul?
The proposed date for Joshua vs. Paul is fast approaching.
Boxing journalist Mike Coppinger claims the heavyweight showdown will happen on Friday, December 19.
Team Paul clearly like a Friday date, having held his fight against Mike Tyson on a Friday, too.
Joshua is also no stranger to fighting on a Friday as that is the day he fought ex-UFC champion Francis Ngannou.
While negotiations remain ongoing, an astronomical prize pot of around £140 million has been mooted.
According to The Daily Mail, the plan is for a 50-50 split between Joshua and Paul, who are both in line to earn a staggering £70 million each.
The rules for Joshua vs. Paul have yet to be officially announced, but certain terms and stipulations have been reported.
Coppinger says Joshua vs. Paul will be a 'heavyweight fight' not an exhibition, meaning it will be added to both of their respective professional records.
And, according to Eddie Hearn, Joshua vs. Paul will be fought under 'Queensberry rules'. So, it will contested over three-minute rounds with one-minute breaks and if a fighter is knocked down, then they must get up within 10 seconds to continue or lose the fight.
Hearn has also suggested they will be donning 10oz gloves.
The 28-year-old American has had Joshua on his radar for some time now and claims the former world champion has 'no chin'.
"I want to fight Anthony Joshua because I know that I will f**king beat Anthony Joshua's ass," he exclaimed.
"He doesn't have a chin and he has no skill and he's stiff... and I love you Anthony, we're friends but I want to fight you."
After Paul's initial call out of Joshua, Hearn revealed what his star fighter said about a fight against the YouTuber-turned-boxer.
Recalling his conversation with the 36-year-old, Hearn said: "He (Joshua) said, 'why not? Tell everyone I’ll fight anyone anytime'."
If Joshua vs. Paul goes ahead, then it will be broadcast on Netflix, which also aired Paul vs. Tyson last year.
60 million households watched the Paul vs. Tyson fight live around the world, peaking at 65 million concurrent streams.
Joshua vs. Paul could be viewed by a similar audience given the Brit's star power.
