Two-time world champion Anthony Joshua is set for a career-high payday when he faces YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul at the Kaseya Centre in Miami on December 19.
Promoter Eddie Hearn says he misled Paul’s representatives by claiming Joshua was heavier than he was in order to agree a favourable weight stipulation for their fight.
Briton Joshua, a former two-time unified heavyweight champion, must come in under 245lb (17st 7lb). Both fighters will wear regulation 10oz gloves.
“I spoke to AJ and he was sitting at 265lb (18st 13lb) or something like that. I think I told Nakisa [Bidarian, co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions] that he was 290lb (20st) or something like that,” Hearn told the 5 Live Boxing podcast.
Despite criticism that the bout is a mismatch designed to deliver Joshua, 35, an easy payday, Hearn insists his fighter remains focused on long-term plans.
“This isn’t ‘we’re fighting Jake Paul and retiring’. We’ve got massive plans for 2026,” he said. “We’re going to have a run-out here, nick a career-high payday, and then go back into camp for serious stuff next year.”
The fight, streamed live on Netflix, is scheduled for eight three-minute rounds.
“I said I’m not interested in balloon gloves and two-minute rounds, but he said it was a real fight. I asked if it was 10 rounds or eight rounds; they said fine to eight,” Hearn added.
“They said ‘the only thing is that Jake will weigh about 220lb (15st 10lb) or 225lb (16st 1lb) and we want AJ to come down in weight’. He’s a heavyweight and hasn’t cut weight before. They said, ‘Look, we’re not being funny and it’s not that we need an advantage but we need you to have some disadvantage’.”
Paul, 28, holds a 12-1 professional record built mostly against limited or faded opposition, with his only defeat coming against Tommy Fury in 2023.
“People keep playing back old interviews where I said Jake Paul is average; I stand by that,” Hearn said. “He’s improved a lot, but he’s not a world-class fighter. He’s maybe top 60 at cruiserweight. He trains properly and spars hard, but this is just different.”