Jake Paul has finally got his wish and will fight Britain's former heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua in Miami next month.

Racing Post Sport Boxing expert Gareth Freeman has put the YouTube star turned pro boxer in the spotlight, as well as digesting last week's big fight results and looking ahead to this week's action in this week's edition of Racing Post Ringside.

Jake Paul profile

Age 28 Record 12-1 (7KOs) Weight Cruiserweight
Next Fight vs Anthony Joshua on December 19

Jake Paul became a professional boxer only in 2020 after making his name as a YouTube star. 

The Problem Child is the original and easily most recognisable figure of a group of fighters who first found fame on social media before stepping into the ring.

Paul has called out Anthony Joshua repeatedly but for a long time it seemed little more than fantasy that the two would actually fight. 

In recent months, particularly with AJ inactive and seemingly unable to tempt Tyson Fury out of retirement, the possibility of Paul taking on Joshua became increasingly likely. By the time the date was announced, the fight had become the worst-kept secret in boxing.

While last Monday's announcement surprised nobody, the price about a Paul victory definitely did. 

The American is just 6-1 to beat two-time heavyweight world champion and Olympic gold medal winner Joshua. 

That's the same 6-1 that Anthony Yarde, who had twice challenged for a world title and had impressed in defeat to one of the sport's true greats in Artur Beterbiev, was to defeat David Benavidez in Riyadh on Saturday night. 

In football, Paris Saint-Germain are 6-1 to win this season's Champions League, the very same competition they won convincingly less than six months ago.

Jake Paul's (left) sole loss in the ring came against Tommy FuryCredit: Anadolu Agency

Paul has never beaten Joshua before. Indeed, he's barely even beaten a proper boxer before. His record is largely made up of MMA specialists or long-in-the-tooth pugilists such as an almost 60-year-old Mike Tyson and the shadow of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

The American fell short in his first test against an out-and-out boxer, losing via split decision to Tommy Fury, who himself is more recognisable as a Love Island winner and Tyson Fury's younger brother than a fighter of any great standing.

Credit where credit is due, Paul has done an incredible job to generate the interest, wealth and profile that he has in the sport. But, on paper, he has no business being in a ring with Joshua, let alone as a 6-1 shot. 

Joshua has held the WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO heavyweight titles, has a 28-4 record and is an Olympic champion. He should be remembered for hauling himself off the canvas to beat Wladimir Klitschko, wrestling the WBO title away from Joseph Parker, and gaining revenge on Andy Ruiz. 

That will all count for nothing if he loses to Paul, who to cap it off will be making his debut at heavyweight against AJ. 

Sport has the ability to throw up some strange results but, even at 100-1, I'd have more than a few misgivings about throwing a few pennies away on a relative novice beating a former world champion not far past his prime. 

Boxing results and highlights

David Benavidez def. Anthony Yarde – TKO, Round 7
Betting odds: Benavidez 2-17, Yarde 6-1, Draw 35-1.
Venue: ANB Arena, Riyadh

Anthony Yarde's third attempt at winning a world title ended in disappointment as he was stopped by WBC light-heavyweight king David Benavidez. 

The American champ was well on top by the time he sent a bloodied Yarde to the canvas in the seventh round, and another Benavidez barrage brought a convincing and premature end to the title bout a minute later.

Benavidez now plans to step up into the cruiserweight division in a bid to become a three-weight world champion.

David Haney def. Brian Norman Jr – Unanimous decision
Betting odds: Norman Jr 20-21, Haney 21-20, Draw 16-1.
Venue: ANB Arena, Riyadh

David Haney is already a three-weight world champ after outpointing Brian Norman Jr in the co-main event on the Ring IV card. 

Haney scored an early knockdown in the second round and used his potent jab to keep his fellow American at arm's length for the rest of the contest, winning 114-113, 117-110 and 116-111 on the judges' scorecards. 

Jesse Rodriguez def. Fernando Martinez – KO, Round 10
Betting odds: Rodriguez 1-10, Martinez 10-1, Draw 33-1.
Venue: ANB Arena, Riyadh

Jesse 'Bam' Rodriguez lived up to his nickname with a 16th knockout win in 23 fights on the undercard in the Saudi capital to unify the WBA, WBC and WBO super flyweight belts. 

Rodriguez was in no mood for hanging around and dominated from the first bell in a masterclass in technique and power punching.

A meeting with IBF champ Willibaldo Garcia to unify the super flyweight division is the obvious next step for Bam.

Abdullah Mason def. Sam Noakes – Unanimous decision
Betting odds: Mason 1-3, Noakes 11-4, Draw 18-1.
Venue: ANB Arena, Riyadh

Britain's Sam Noakes fell agonisingly short in his bid to become WBO lightweight world champion as he was beaten by American Abdullah Mason on points. 

Rising star Mason was a heavy favourite to beat Noakes but the man from Maidstone pushed the American all the way, losing 117-111, 115-113 and 115-113 with the judges. 

At just 21 years old, Mason is now the youngest male world champion.

Upcoming boxing schedule

British hopeful Ben Whittaker will hope to push himself closer to a shot at a light heavyweight belt when he takes on Benjamin Gavazi in his first fight since joining Eddie Hearn's Matchroom stable.

Whittaker has nine wins and a draw on his record and is an overwhelming odds-on favourite to beat Germany's Gavazi, who has won his last 19 fights after losing on his professional debut.

Looking further ahead, Anthony Joshua returns to the ring for the first time in over a year when he takes on Jake Paul in an eight-round bout in Miami on December 19.

Ben Whittaker vs Benjamin Gavazi betting predictions

Ben Whittaker is seen as something of a Marmite character within boxing circles due to his showboating and unorthodox style. 

After claiming a silver medal at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Whittaker made a bright start in the professional ranks but his career has started to stall. 

He's fought just twice since June 2024 – first drawing with and then beating Liam Cameron.

A move to the Matchroom stable should provide him with more opportunities and he can make a winning start against the limited Benjamin Gavazi in Birmingham.

Known as The Surgeon, Whittaker will hope to dissect Gavazi early as he bids to engineer a world title shot. 

Read more boxing analysis from Racing Post Sport:

Racing Post Ringside: Boxing results, betting insights & upcoming fights: What next for Eubank Jr and Benn? 

Racing Post Ringside: Boxing results, betting insights & upcoming fights: Ortiz Jr calls out Ennis 

Racing Post Ringside: Eubank Jr vs Benn 2 Preview 

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