In a surprising turn of events, it appears Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul are close to sealing the deal for a heavyweight boxing match set to happen in Miami. Reports suggest that this high-profile clash is slated for December and will be broadcast on Netflix. This follows the pattern of Paul’s previously planned bout with Gervonta Davis, which was set to stream on the platform.

Originally, Paul was scheduled to step into the ring this Saturday against American fighter Gervonta Davis. However, the match fell through due to domestic violence allegations currently facing Davis, leading to its cancellation.

Ring Magazine has reported that Jake Paul has now shifted his focus towards securing a fight with British boxing sensation Anthony Joshua. Talks are reportedly in the advanced stages, signaling that the fight might soon become official.

This development comes on the heels of comments from Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, who recently suggested the possibility of a match against Paul. Hearn mentioned Joshua’s need for a “run-out” fight, hinting at a bout with the YouTuber-turned-boxer.

Hearn commented earlier this week, “We will make a decision this week on Anthony’s next fight. If he fights this year, you probably won’t even hear about it, unless it’s Jake Paul.” It seems that the chatter around a potential Joshua-Paul matchup is gaining real traction, leaving fans eager for an official announcement.

Hearn said on Tuesday: ‘We will make a decision this week on Anthony’s next fight. If he fights this year, you probably won’t even hear about it, unless it’s Jake Paul.

Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul are finalizing negotiations for a heavyweight boxing fight 

Paul will make his first return to the ring since defeating Julio Chavez Jr back in June

Meanwhile, Anthony Joshua will fight for the first time since his defeat to Daniel Dubois

‘We would literally rock up on fight week. We’ve already got opponents that we’ve been talking to about a run-out fight,’ the Mathroom Boxing chief said.

Hearn’s comments have lead fans to believe that any bout between the two would in-fact be deemed an exhibition – similarly to how Paul’s bout with Davis was planned. 

Further details are yet to be announced but fans will certainly be intrigued to discover the weight restrictions that will be in place, given the size difference between the two.

In Paul’s most recent bout against Julio Chavez Jr, he weighed in at 199.4lbs. Meanwhile, in Joshua’s last fight against Daniel Dubois, he weighed in at 252lbs 5oz. 

However, in Paul’s fight against Mike Tyson last year, he managed to bulk up an immense amount and weighed in at 220lbs, which he will likely have to do again. 

Though the bout will bring initial shock to boxing fans, some sense can be made in the fact that both fighters have found themselves at a crossroads in 2025.

After defeating boxing legend Tyson, 59, in November last year, Paul returned to the ring in the summer, where he defeated Chavez Jr via unanimous decision.

However, since that victory, the YouTuber-turned-boxer has been on the search for a more credible opponent and had WBA lightweight champion Davis in his sights. 

Former heavyweight champion Joshua will undoubtably be Paul’s toughest opponent to date

Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn (left), recently claimed the British star needs a ‘run-out fight’

After months of preparations and smack-talking between the two Americans, the bout was cancelled last week due to the domestic violence allegations looming over Davis.

In the days that have followed, Paul went on a social media tirade, calling out some of boxing’s biggest names – including one of Joshua’s old foes; Francis Ngannou. 

Paul and former UFC star Ngannou traded words over social media before conducting an interview with TMZ that entirely shut down talks of a fight. 

Joshua, meanwhile, will be looking to shake off 13 months of ring-rust when he takes on Paul, having not fought since his defeat to British rival Daniel Dubois last year. 

The Watford fighter was brutally knocked in the fifth round of their bout, which derailed hopes of him mounting a charge for the heavyweight titles. 

More to follow…