Anthony Joshua will step into the ring against Jake Paul on December 19, 2024, at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. Eddie Hearn, Joshua's promoter, calls a loss to the influencer "unthinkable" and an embarrassment.
Joshua sports a professional record of 28 wins with 25 knockouts and aims to bounce back after losing to Daniel Dubois last September. Meanwhile, Jake Paul has built a 12-1 record with seven knockouts since transitioning from internet fame to boxing.
Eddie Hearn describes the fight's setup as unique. He shares,
“Father Christmas came early with 400 sacks full of cash, and said, ‘AJ, would you like your greatest Christmas yet?’ And we said, ‘Yes, please.’ And that’s basically how the fight was made.”
Despite Paul's skills in the ring, Hearn remains confident about Joshua's chances. As he puts it simply:
"The fight will end whenever Anthony Joshua wants."
Hearn acknowledges that while the payday is enticing—reflecting near career-high earnings for Joshua—there's no room for complacency. He states emphatically:
“We’re going to go in there and get it done quickly, destroy him, and get on the plane and then go home for Christmas.”
The bout comes amid concerns about Joshua's inactivity since his last match and signals his intent for future bouts against Tyson Fury or Oleksandr Usyk by 2026. Financial motivations also play a role in accepting this match due to the lucrative offer.
While Paul has shown promise in boxing circles, Eddie Hearn hints at an overwhelming advantage for seasoned professionals like Joshua: https://www.netflix.com .
