Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul are reportedly close to finalizing a deal for a highly anticipated heavyweight fight set to take place in Miami this December. Sources have indicated that Netflix is scheduled to announce the bout on Monday, with the potential dates for the fight being either December 19 or 26.
This matchup comes in light of Paul’s original plan to fight Gervonta Davis on November 14 at the Kaseya Center, an event that was abruptly canceled due to serious domestic violence allegations against Davis. The allegations, brought forth by his former partner, Courtney Rossel, include charges of battery and false imprisonment, leading to an ongoing investigation by local authorities. Following the news, Paul and his promotion company, Most Valuable Promotions, quickly scrapped the fight, with Paul’s CEO, Nakisa Bidarian, stating that they aimed to handle the situation with care.
In response to the cancellation, Paul publicly criticized Davis, labeling him as “an actual walking human piece of garbage,” while expressing his regret for the impact on the undercard fighters and staff. Despite the setback, Paul’s team sought alternative opponents, considering names such as Ryan Garcia and Terence Crawford. However, negotiations had since accelerated with Joshua, who has been out of the ring since suffering a stoppage defeat to Daniel Dubois in September 2024.
Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, confirmed that the 36-year-old was looking to return to the ring before the end of the year, making a December bout with Paul particularly significant as it would mark Joshua’s first fight in over 15 months. This event not only provides a much-needed comeback for Joshua but also offers Netflix a key replacement for the canceled Davis fight, enhancing their reputation in live sports broadcasting.
Netflix’s previous boxing event featuring Paul against Mike Tyson set a record, becoming the most-streamed sporting event in history, with peak concurrent streams hitting 65 million. The upcoming Joshua vs. Paul fight is expected to draw substantial global viewership, further solidifying Netflix’s stakes in the world of sports entertainment. The precise date for the fight is anticipated to be confirmed ahead of Monday’s announcement, keeping fans excited for what promises to be a major event in the boxing calendar.