Jake Paul gets unexpected boost before Joshua fight

November 18, 2025 Oliver Obel

The bout wasn’t originally in Paul’s plans. The 28-year-old had been set to fight lightweight champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis on November 14, but the event collapsed after Davis was accused of battery, aggravated battery, false imprisonment, kidnapping, and intentional infliction of emotional distress by his former partner. Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions quickly confirmed the contest “would no longer be moving forward.”

With the date looming, speculation swirled. Names like Ryan Garcia, Terence Crawford, and Francis Ngannou circulated as potential fill-ins. Instead, Joshua — the most established and physically imposing option of the bunch — signed on, shifting the matchup into a full-scale heavyweight attraction at Miami’s Kaseya Center.

Joshua’s rebuild vs. Paul’s rise

Joshua, 36, has not fought since suffering a knockout loss to Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in September 2024. He underwent elbow surgery afterward but has continued training with the goal of returning to championship contention. His legacy remains substantial: two reigns as unified heavyweight champion and high-profile victories over Wladimir Klitschko, Joseph Parker, and others.

Paul comes in fresh off a unanimous decision win over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in June. His résumé includes wins over Nate Diaz, Anderson Silva, Mike Perry, and Mike Tyson — though Tyson’s age (58 at the time) has tempered the credit he received for that performance.

Physically, the matchup presents a steep climb for Paul. Joshua has consistently weighed north of 250 pounds throughout his career and stands 6-foot-6. Paul, typically a cruiserweight, has campaigned below 200 pounds in most bouts, though he reached 227.25 pounds for last year’s exhibition with Tyson.

According to Pro Boxing Fans, the December fight will be an eight-round professional contest using 10-ounce gloves. Paul has gone 10 rounds twice (vs. Diaz and Chavez), while Joshua has surpassed eight rounds in five of his 32 professional fights.

Financially, the stakes mirror the spectacle. Reports from the Mail indicate both fighters are set for a 50-50 split, with each potentially earning around £70 million.

Ruiz shares the mindset behind his historic upset

One of the few fighters to defeat Joshua, Andy Ruiz Jr., has offered Paul something more valuable than strategy — a mental blueprint. Speaking to SPORTbible on behalf of Covers, Ruiz described the focus and self-belief that fueled his 2019 upset victory.

“Just believing in yourself, man. Just believing in myself and that I was on a diet, trying to win,” Ruiz said.

“Even when he knocked me down, I still got up, and I was like, ‘You know what? I'm not f*****g giving up.’ … He was telling me, ‘Andy, don't think about the money, the money's gonna come. Think about winning. That’s the most important thing.’”

Ruiz credited that mindset with helping him “block out all the negativity” — a reminder that at the highest levels, mentality can matter as much as mechanics.

Fighters lean into the spotlight

Netflix’s announcement of the bout immediately turned heads, labeling it a “career-defining” heavyweight contest. Paul embraced the storyline, promising fireworks.

“When I beat Anthony Joshua, every doubt disappears, and no one can deny me the opportunity to fight for a world title,” Paul told Netflix. “On Friday, December 19… the torch gets passed and Britain’s Goliath gets put to sleep.”

Joshua responded with his trademark confidence.
“I’m here to do massive numbers, have big fights and break every record whilst keeping cool, calm and collected,” he said. “Mark my words, you’ll see a lot more fighters take these opportunities in the future. I’m about to break the internet over Jake Paul’s face.”

Predictions tilt heavily toward Joshua — with one notable exception

Among boxing insiders, the consensus leans strongly toward Joshua. Veteran heavyweight Derek Chisora said he expects Joshua to “kill Paul.”

But Tyson Fury has taken a contrarian stance. Speaking earlier this year to Ring Magazine, Fury suggested Paul could actually stop Joshua.
“I just think Jake Paul would knock AJ out. I think AJ’s a spent force and Jake Paul’s on the rise,” he said, praising Paul’s “new heavyweight look.”

A defining moment approaches

Make no mistake: Paul has never faced a challenge like this one. Joshua’s size, pedigree, and experience represent an entirely new level of danger. Yet Ruiz’s insight — about belief, purpose, and resilience — offers a rare glimpse into what it takes to topple a fighter of Joshua’s caliber.

On December 19 in Miami, Paul will learn whether mindset, momentum, and ambition can narrow the gap between a rising star and one of the most accomplished heavyweights of his era.

Sources: SPORTbible, Covers, Pro Boxing Fans, Daily Mail, Netflix