Anthony Joshua’s clash with Jake Paul was always going to raise eyebrows, but as fight night in Miami approaches, the conversation has only grown louder.
On Friday, the former heavyweight king steps into the ring with the YouTube-turned-boxer in a bout reportedly worth close to £140million — a figure that alone explains why emotions are running high across the sport.
Eddie Hearn Confirms a Late Twist
Eddie Hearn has now added another layer to the drama.
Speaking this week, Joshua’s promoter confirmed that there has been a key rule adjustment ahead of the fight.
While the contest will be billed at heavyweight, Joshua has been asked to trim down slightly.
He cannot weigh more than 245lbs, a noticeable drop from the 252.5lbs he tipped the scales at when he fought Daniel Dubois.
Jake Paul Gets His Way on the Ring Size
The concessions do not stop at weight. Paul’s team has also pushed through a request for a larger ring than usual.
Fighters will compete in a 22x22ft ring, almost the maximum size permitted.
It’s a detail Paul appears more than comfortable with, brushing it off as standard practice while making it clear he sees no disadvantage.
A Press Conference That Turned Heads
Tension bubbled over earlier in the week when Joshua’s words at a press conference caused visible unease.
The former champion spoke bluntly about the realities of the sport, describing boxing as a profession where danger is part of the job.
His language shocked some observers, but Joshua later clarified that he was speaking from a fighter’s mindset — one where focus and intensity are non-negotiable once the bell rings.
Joshua Explains His Mindset
Joshua insisted there was no malice behind his comments, just honesty.
Inside the ropes, he said, anything can happen, and fighters must accept that risk.
Victory, in his view, comes down to having your hand raised at the end of the night.
That mentality, he added, may sound extreme to outsiders, but it is what elite competitors live by.
Defending the Decision to Take the Fight
Critics have accused Joshua of gambling with boxing’s credibility by stepping into such a lucrative, unconventional matchup.
He pushed back hard against that idea.
While the payday — estimated to fall somewhere between £30million and £50million — is significant, Joshua stressed that money is not the sole motivation.
For him, the bout is another test and a chance to remind the world of his technical boxing ability.
Paul Fires Back With Confidence
Jake Paul, never short on self-belief, offered his own defense.
He argued that his presence has injected fresh energy into the sport, challenging old traditions and bringing new audiences along for the ride.
In his eyes, this fight is not a circus — it’s proof that boxing can still evolve.
All Eyes on Friday Night
With the weight limit agreed, the ring size set, and both fighters entrenched in their positions, the stage is ready.
Whether this bout proves to be a bold experiment or a step too far remains to be seen.
One thing is certain: when Joshua and Paul meet under the Miami lights, the boxing world will be watching.
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