Anthony Joshua has successfully met the weight requirement for his upcoming fight against Jake Paul, achieving this milestone two weeks ahead of schedule.
The former two-time heavyweight champion has been out of action since his challenging loss to Daniel Dubois in September 2024, where he suffered a decisive knockout in the fifth round. Following the intense bout with ‘Triple D,’ Joshua took a break from boxing to recover from minor injuries.
After undergoing a successful elbow surgery, Joshua wasted no time returning to training. Fans anticipate that he will have a relatively easy victory over the boxing newcomer before an eventful 2026 in the ring. The highly anticipated professional heavyweight showdown between Joshua and Paul is scheduled for December 19 in Miami.
Their bout will consist of eight rounds, each lasting three minutes, with both fighters using 10oz gloves. While Paul’s previous experience in the heavyweight division was against Mike Tyson in November 2024, Joshua faced a challenge to meet the weight limit for the upcoming fight, set at under 245lb.
The clash between Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul in Miami on December 19 will be available for live streaming on Netflix, accessible for free with Sky’s £15 Essential TV bundle, the lowest price offered by the network for Sky TV subscribers.
Despite initial concerns that the 36-year-old Joshua would need to shed 20lb, recent updates reveal that he currently weighs around 111kg (244.7Ib), bringing relief to fans. Promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed that Joshua is already in Miami, fully prepared for the fight and in excellent condition.
Hearn expressed confidence in Joshua’s readiness for the match, emphasizing the heavyweight’s dedication to training seriously and meeting the specific weight requirement for the fight. A victory in this month’s fight would greatly boost Joshua’s confidence as he looks forward to a potentially significant 2026 in the boxing world, including a potential summer showdown with Tyson Fury.
Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh hinted at future plans for Joshua, mentioning upcoming events in London in 2026, including a significant fight in September that promises to be one of the greatest in boxing history.
Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul are set to face off in Miami on December 19, just days before Christmas. The fight is expected to begin around 11pm local time, translating to 4am in the UK. Viewers can watch the event live on Netflix, with fight times subject to adjustment based on the undercard duration.