breaking news
In a shock announcement that has only been rumoured up until now, Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua will be going head to head despite there being concerns for the former’s safety.
Announced by Netflix on Monday afternoon (17 November), Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua will be facing off in a career-defining heavyweight fight mere days before Christmas.
Set to take place in Florida on 19 December, ex-Youtuber Paul will face his biggest fight yet with Joshua being a two-time heavyweight champion. Not only that but according to Eddie Hearn, the fight will be a “real fight” following Queensbury rules and not an exhibition fight like Paul has mostly taken on in the past.
As a result, there have been genuine concerns about his safety going up against one of the greats.
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Up until now, Paul has fought against boxers such as Tommy Fury and Nate Diaz but unlike the upcoming Joshua fight, these were considered professional crossover matches, meaning that it has featured sportsmen from different combat sports.
However, it was last year that Paul made a serious name for himself in the boxing community after beating Mike Tyson in a professionally sanctioned match.
Paul, who is just 28-years old, managed to beat Tyson, 59, which may have just opened the door for him to now take on Joshua in the upcoming fight.
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The official press release for the fight reads as follows: "Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and Netflix today announced Jake vs. Joshua: Judgment Day, a colossal global showdown between boxing’s biggest disruptor, international superstar and WBA #14-ranked cruiserweight Jake “El Gallo de Dorado” Paul (12-1, 7 KOs) and two-time unified WBO, WBA, and IBF heavyweight world champion, Olympic gold medalist and knockout machine Anthony “AJ” Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs).”
Taking place over eight, three-minute rounds with 10oz gloves, the fight will take place on 19 December at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida as well as being streamed live worldwide.
Additionally, for Netflix subscribers, it will be available at no extra cost.
Described as Paul’s “most dangerous test”, this will be his second major Netflix fight following his victory over Mike Tyson last November.
Paul and Joshua have released a statement
“This isn’t an AI simulation. This is Judgment Day,” said Paul.
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“A professional heavyweight fight against an elite world champion in his prime. When I beat Anthony Joshua, every doubt disappears, and no one can deny me the opportunity to fight for a world title.
"To all my haters, this is what you wanted. To the people of the United Kingdom, I am sorry.
"On Friday, December 19, under the lights in Miami, live globally only on Netflix, the torch gets passed and Britain’s Goliath gets put to sleep. I KNOWWWW YOU GOT EM PICKED HAHAHHA.”
For Joshua, the sentiment was very much the same.
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“Jake or anyone can get this work. No mercy,” he said. “I took some time out and I’m coming back with a mega show. It’s a big opportunity for me.
"Whether you like it or not, I’m here to do massive numbers, have big fights and break every record whilst keeping cool, calm and collected. Mark my words, you’ll see a lot more fighters take these opportunities in the future. I’m about to break the internet over Jake Paul’s face.”
Jake vs. Joshua: Judgment Day will be streamed live on 19 December on Netflix.
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Topics: Youtube