Matchroom CEO Frank Smith has refuted claims that the upcoming fight between Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua will be fixed. Recent reports indicated that Joshua and Paul were in the final stages of arranging a bout set for this Christmas. The heavyweight matchup has now been officially scheduled to occur on December 19 in Miami, consisting of eight three-minute rounds with both fighters using 10oz gloves.
Despite previous allegations of fight-fixing against Paul since his professional debut in 2020, he has consistently denied any wrongdoing. Criticism from the boxing community has intensified, with many branding the fight as predetermined. However, Eddie Hearn’s associate, Smith, dismissed these concerns, emphasizing that the bout will be a standard professional fight.
The clash between Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul will be broadcast live on Netflix on December 19, available for free to fans with Sky’s £15 Essential TV bundle. Smith reiterated that Joshua is not entering the ring to prolong the fight but to secure a knockout victory against Paul.
The genesis of the fight traces back to Paul’s initial challenge to Joshua earlier this year, leading to an eventual agreement for a face-off in 2026. Following a hiatus since his previous win over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in June, Paul faced setbacks in arranging fights due to various circumstances. Joshua eventually accepted the challenge, prompting swift negotiations that culminated in the upcoming bout.
While acknowledging the unpredictability of the decision, Smith expressed reservations about Paul’s choice to step up against a top-tier athlete like Joshua. The Matchroom CEO highlighted that the fight was not a strategic move he would have recommended for Paul, suggesting that the YouTuber-turned-boxer might have ventured beyond his current capabilities.
Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul are slated to meet in Miami on December 19, just ahead of Christmas. The fight is expected to commence around 11pm local time, corresponding to 4am in the UK, with the exact timing subject to the undercard duration. The event will be live-streamed on Netflix for viewers worldwide.
