Jake Paul’s bout against Anthony Joshua could yet be cancelled if the fighters fail a strict test.
Paul, 28, and Joshua, 36, are set to go toe-to-toe in Miami, Florida, on December 19, with the bout set to take place over eight three-minute rounds under professional rules.
The 28-year-old was due to face lightweight champion Gervonta Davis on November 14, but the bout was cancelled after Davis was accused of battery, aggravated battery, false imprisonment, kidnapping, and intentional infliction of emotional distress by his ex-partner.
2012 Olympic gold medallist and two-time unified world heavyweight champion, Joshua, had been linked with a potential all-British showdown with Tyson Fury, but no such fight materialised.
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The scheduled fight between Joshua and Paul has drawn a mixed reaction from the boxing community, with some seeming to understand how it would’ve been difficult for the Englishman to turn down a reported £70 million payday.
Meanwhile, others have voiced their concerns with both Derek Chisora and David Haye suggesting that Paul could be killed during the bout.
Similar concerns were raised ahead of Paul’s November 2024 fight against Mike Tyson, a then-27-year-old Paul beat a 58-year-old ‘Iron Mike’ via unanimous decision.
Tyson reportedly had to undergo several medical tests before entering the ring, with the fight sanctioned by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations.
The veteran underwent an EEG, which helps detect brain disorders, while an EKG was also performed and is used to evaluate heart issues.
However, Paul and Joshua’s contest is due to be sanctioned in Florida by the Florida Athletic Commission.
According to the organisation’s regulations, fighters have to undergo a strict medical examination before being granted a license to fight. The rules will likely apply to the upcoming bout.
Fighters must sign a DBPR FSBC 20 - Pre-Licensure Physical Info Sheet – ahead of their fight, which allows the commission to release necessary medical information to the appropriate entities ahead of the match.
The rules state that no license can be issued if a physician finds several medical conditions.
Fighters’ blood pressure, heart condition, and eyesight will all be examined, just to name a few of the tests.
Even recent wounds, hand injuries less than six weeks old, and dental abscesses could rule the fighters out if they are found to be present during examinations.
If either fighter were 40 years old or older, which they are not, they would have had to undergo an EKG and an MRI of the brain within the 12 months prior to their license being approved.
So, if either Joshua or Paul failed the medical tests, the bout would feasibly be cancelled, but there’s no evidence to suggest either has experienced medical issues in the lead-up to the fight.
Topics: Anthony Joshua, Boxing, Jake Paul
Luke Davies