The anticipation for December 19 at the Kaseya Center in Miami is building, and for Jake Paul, the pressure has never been higher.
The YouTube star-turned-boxer is set to take on British heavyweight Anthony Joshua in a showdown that promises a staggering £140million prize split.
But with AJ showing off a jaw-dropping physique this past weekend, doubts over Paul’s chances are growing louder.
A Staggering Physical Advantage
Joshua, standing 6ft 6in and tipping the scales heavier than Paul’s 6ft 2in frame, is preparing to dominate the eight three-minute rounds if the fight goes the distance.
Few insiders believe it will reach the final bell.
Promoter Eddie Hearn has been blunt about the stakes, insisting that Joshua must “obliterate” Paul to make the contest worthwhile.
Paul, known more for his viral stunts than for ring mastery, previously suffered a loss to Tommy Fury, the younger brother of boxing superstar Tyson Fury.
Hearn has cautioned that the American faces serious risks against a taller, heavier opponent with a six-inch reach advantage.
Joshua’s Form Sends a Warning
Fans got a preview of Joshua’s condition over the weekend when he shared photos of his ripped frame on X, formerly Twitter, captioned ominously: “There is no tomorrow.”
Reactions poured in: some cheered for his comeback, others warned Paul of the brutal reality he’s up against.
Comments ranged from pleading for a knockout to analyzing the fight’s narrative: “It’s lose-lose for Jake.
If he wins, it confirms the rigged theories. If he loses, well, he loses.
The best outcome is he loses but puts up a fight.”
Cutting Weight and Regaining Form
Joshua hasn’t stepped in the ring for over a year, following a knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in September 2024.
At over 250lbs in his last five fights, he now faces the task of dropping roughly 20lbs to meet the 245lbs limit for this bout.
Hearn remains confident Joshua can make the weight, sharing with BBC 5 Live that AJ had recently been around 265lbs.
The promoter explained the negotiations surrounding weight and rounds, emphasizing that this is a genuine fight, not an exhibition.
Joshua, a heavyweight who hasn’t previously cut weight, is navigating uncharted territory—but with stakes this high, there’s no room for half measures.
From Fury Speculation to Paul Confirmation
Many assumed Joshua’s return might be against Tyson Fury, a matchup long rumored and debated in boxing circles.
Instead, AJ surprised fans by confirming Jake Paul as his opponent earlier this month.
Adjustments in training have been significant: Joshua has enlisted the team behind two-time unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, who bested him on points in 2021 and 2022.
Critics Question Joshua’s Approach
Not everyone is convinced the strategy will pay off.
Former rival Dillian Whyte, who faced AJ twice in his career, suggests Joshua is “lost” in his preparations.
Whyte criticized the constant shifting between trainers, implying Joshua may be seeking solutions outside himself instead of focusing on his own strengths.
He explained, “Confidence is everything. Skills and experience are important, but if you don’t believe in yourself, nothing else matters.
Right now, AJ seems unsure, and that could be dangerous when he steps into the ring.”
Countdown to Miami
With just under three weeks until fight night, the tension is palpable.
Fans, experts, and critics alike are weighing in on whether Jake Paul can survive Joshua’s return in full force.
Whether it ends in a spectacle of skill or a swift knockout, December 19 promises a night of boxing that few will forget.
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