The highly anticipated heavyweight bout between Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua is officially set. Both fighters successfully hit the scales on Thursday, December 18. This final step clears the way for their main event showdown at the Kaseya Center.
The fight takes place tonight, Friday, December 19. Fans across the globe can watch the action live as it streams exclusively on Netflix.
Massive Weight Discrepancy Confirmed
The weigh-in highlighted a significant physical difference between the two athletes. Anthony Joshua stepped on the scale at 243.4 pounds. Interestingly, this is his lightest fighting weight since 2021. Despite leaning out, he still holds a massive 27-pound weight advantage over his opponent.
Meanwhile, Jake Paul tipped the scales at 216 pounds. Although this is one of the heaviest weights of his career, he remains significantly smaller than the former two-time unified champion. Beyond just the weight, Joshua also holds a five-inch height advantage and a superior reach.
Match Details and Rules
This bout is a sanctioned professional heavyweight contest. However, it features a unique structure compared to traditional 12-round championship fights. Because of this, the pace is expected to be much faster.
The specific rules for tonight include:
- Total Rounds: The fight will consist of 8 rounds.
- Round Length: Each round will last 3 minutes.
- Glove Size: Both men will wear 10-ounce gloves.
- Location: The event is hosted at the Kaseya Center, the iconic home of the Miami Heat.
The Path to the Miami Ring
Jake Paul (12-1, 7 KOs) enters the ring with significant momentum. In June 2025, he secured a unanimous decision victory over former champion Julio César Chávez Jr. Now 28 years old, Paul views this fight as a legacy-defining moment. He aims to prove he can compete with the elite heavyweights of the world.
On the other side, Anthony Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs) is making a long-awaited comeback. The 36-year-old Olympic gold medalist has not fought since his loss to Daniel Dubois in late 2024. Consequently, this fight is a must-win for Joshua. He needs a dominant performance to stay in the hunt for an undisputed title shot in 2026.