Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul: Tale of the tape, key stats and fight breakdown

Jake Paul has never previously fought at heavyweight and has a limited record largely made up of former MMA stars and ageing boxers. 

The YouTuber-turned-pugilist takes on the biggest challenge of his short career in the ring on Friday night when he challenges Britain's two-time heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua in Miami.

Paul had been set to face lightweight Gervonta Davis in an exhibition match last month but that bout was scrapped and Joshua was brought in as a replacement.

The fight will be counted on both fighters' official records and they will wear 10oz gloves, the standard size for a heavyweight fight. 

There are a few anomalies, however. There is a weight limit of 245lbs – heavyweight bouts usually have no limit – and the fight will be contested over eight rounds instead of 12. 

Joshua is a clear odds-on favourite and victory over Paul could set him up for a huge 2026. 

AJ last fought in September 2024, when he fell short in his bid to claim the IBF title from then champion Daniel Dubois, and a long-awaited grudge match with British rival Tyson Fury could be on the horizon if he isn't on the receiving end of what would be one of the biggest upsets in any sport, never mind boxing. 

Paul has chased Joshua for some time now and is convinced he will record by far the biggest victory of his career to date on Friday night in Miami. But there is no hiding from the fact that this is by some distance his toughest and most credible challenge since stepping into a ring in 2018.

Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul tale of the tape

Anthony Joshua stats and facts

Anthony Joshua has a point to prove in MiamiCredit: Francois Nel

Anthony Joshua claimed Olympic Gold in the super heavyweight division at London 2012 and made his debut in the professional ranks the following year. 

AJ began his pro career in emphatic fashion with a first-round knockout of Emanuele Leo and quickly moved up the rankings. 

In his tenth fight the Londoner stopped former British champion Michael Sprott in the first round and in 2015 he blew away former world title challenger Kevin Johnson inside two rounds.     

Joshua's first epic battle came in his 15th professional bout as he faced long-time rival Dillian Whyte for the British and Commonwealth titles. The fight became an all-out war as both men landed some huge shots, with Joshua ultimately forcing a stoppage in the seventh round. 

AJ became a world champion for the first time in his next fight as he recorded a second-round win over the previously unbeaten Charles Martin to capture the IBF heavyweight belt.

The big fights and big wins kept on coming for the Brit, who in 2017 stopped Ukrainian legend Wladimir Klitschko in the 11th round of a bruising encounter to secure the WBA strap and become a unified world champion. 

A year later, Joshua was taken the distance for the first time as he outpointed Joseph Parker to add the WBO title to his collection. He subsequently defended his titles against Alexander Povetkin, but things then started to go awry for AJ. 

Defeat to stand-in Andy Ruiz Jr on his US debut in the summer of 2019 will go down as one of the biggest upsets in boxing history, and while he reclaimed his belts from the Mexican in a rematch later that year, Joshua was twice beaten by Oleksandr Usyk, albeit the Ukrainian has proved himself to be a pound-for-pound great.

AJ had a spell out of the ring after his defeats to Usyk before returning to put together a four-fight winning run. 

That helped him set up a chance to become a three-time world champion but his showdown with fellow Brit Daniel Dubois ended in disaster as he was floored four times before being stopped in the fifth round at Wembley.

Jake Paul stats and facts

Jake Paul is taking on his biggest test in the ring to dateCredit: Chandan Khanna

A social media star, Jake Paul first stepped into a boxing ring in 2018.

A professional debut followed two years later and he has gone on to build a 12-1 record in the paid ranks.

MMA specialists Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley (twice) and Anderson Silva have been beaten along the way, although the American, 28, lost his first fight against an out-and-out boxer, Tyson Fury's younger brother Tommy, on points despite scoring a knockdown in the eighth round.

He responded by beating former UFC star Nate Diaz and then picked up a couple of wins over unheralded pro boxers Andre August and Ryan Bourland. Paul took out both August and Bourland in the first round, although the pair have never competed at a particularly high level. 

His recent bouts have been more high profile. 

Last year Paul tempted legendary heavyweight Mike Tyson to return to the ring age 58 and duly won via unanimous decision after a largely uneventful eight rounds, while in his most recent fight earlier this year he outpointed Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in another forgettable encounter. 

FAQs

Where is Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul taking place?

Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul will meet at the Kaseya Center in Miami on Friday, December 19.

How to watch Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul

The fight between Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul will be broadcast live around the world on Netflix. 

What time is Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul?

A from 3.30am on Saturday.

Who is the favourite?

Anthony Joshua is an overwhelming 1-9 favourite to defeat Jake Paul, who is a best-priced 13-2 chance to pull off an upset. The draw is available at 22-1.

Read more on Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul:

Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul: date, start time, odds and how to watch 

Anthony Joshua: Boxing record, career stats & fighter profile 

Who Is Jake Paul? Boxing record, career stats & fighter profile  

The five biggest upsets in Boxing history 

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