Boxing superstar on the verge of a comeback
The next Joshua fight has probably been decided – the opponent surprises
November 13, 2025 – 6:48 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
After more than a year without a fight, Anthony Joshua’s next opponent has apparently been determined – he has already caused a stir in the past.
A real endurance test looks different: Anthony Joshua will probably get into the ring against YouTube star Jake Paul this year. This is reported by the US magazine “The Ring”, citing unnamed sources. Accordingly, the show will take place in Miami in December. The fight would be one thing above all for both sides: extremely lucrative.
Joshua last boxed for the IBF title against Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in London in September 2024 – and was knocked out in the fifth round. In his career, Joshua has already been heavyweight world champion twice. In 2017 he defeated Wladimir Klitschko and lost the title in 2021 to Oleksandr Usyk.
The fact that a show fight against Jake Paul is now imminent makes people sit up and take notice. Promoter Eddie Hearn recently stated that Joshua might fight a build-up fight this year. It was not foreseeable until now that this would be a meaningless sporting event against Paul.
Joshua and Paul had already negotiated a duel in the summer, but a deal did not materialize. The reason for this was also the fact that Joshua has an exclusive contract with the streaming service DAZN, while Paul’s fights are broadcast on Netflix. According to “The Ring,” this problem has now been resolved.
Paul was actually supposed to fight against lightweight world champion Gervonta Davis in December. However, the planned fight fell through at short notice. Now he is apparently facing Joshua – an opponent who is around 50 to 55 kilograms heavier, twelve centimeters taller and known for his punching power.
For Paul, a duel with the former heavyweight world champion would be a huge step. The 28-year-old has been a professional boxer since 2020, but has so far fought against former MMA fighters, former boxers or opponents beyond their prime. Paul has 12 wins and one defeat – he celebrated seven successes early. His only defeat came against Tommy Fury, the cousin of heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury.
Last year Paul was in the ring against Mike Tyson. The encounter with the then 58-year-old former champion was fought over eight rounds of two minutes each – with 14-ounce gloves. Paul won on points. The duel was a complete success for Netflix: the streaming service reported 65 million live streams running simultaneously.