Boxing enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating updates today as Jake Paul, the YouTuber-turned-boxer, is set to make a ‘major announcement’ at 2 pm, fueling speculation that his contentious fight with Anthony Joshua might be called off.
Scheduled to face off in Miami next Friday, the matchup has faced criticism due to Paul’s significant leap in opponent caliber, transitioning from former MMA fighters to a former unified world champion.
Concerns escalated following Paul’s cryptic message hinting at a major update after replacing a canceled bout with Gervonta Davis. Additionally, rumors were sparked by Paul’s recent black eye sustained during sparring with British ex-world champion Lawrence Okolie.
On the other hand, Anthony Joshua has upped the ante by expressing his aggressive intent to “seek and destroy” and the necessity to knock out Jake Paul.
Contrary to the cancellation speculations, Jake Paul’s ‘major update’ turned out to be the announcement of the latest signee to Most Valuable Promotions, a boxing promotion company he co-founded in 2021 – Caroline Dubois. Caroline, the 24-year-old sister of Daniel Dubois, boasts an impressive record in the lightweight division.
The highly-anticipated showdown has been sanctioned as a professional bout, set to comprise eight three-minute rounds with standard 10oz gloves. Both fighters must weigh under 245lb, requiring Joshua to shed some weight. The Englishman is projected to earn £70m from the event, which will be broadcast on Netflix.
Known for challenging ex-MMA stars, Jake Paul controversially outpointed an aged Mike Tyson last year and typically competes in the cruiserweight division, potentially facing a three-stone weight disadvantage against the British opponent.
With the countdown at 15 minutes until Jake Paul’s revelation, the showdown between Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul is slated for December 19 in Miami, strategically timed just before Christmas.
Following the cancellation of his match with Gervonta Davis, Jake Paul swiftly secured a new challenger in two-time heavyweight Joshua, marking his toughest opponent to date. The fight is scheduled for 11 pm local time, translating to an early 4 am start for UK viewers on December 20, catering primarily to American audiences.
While Anthony Joshua has been silent online for the past 12 hours, he dismissed claims of taking it easy against Paul in their upcoming bout. Joshua clarified that there is no stipulation in the contract requiring him to hold back, emphasizing his readiness to face the challenge.
Amidst speculations of a potential fight cancellation, Jake Paul’s recent social media activity, including the revelation of a black eye from sparring, heightened uncertainties surrounding the much-anticipated match.
Stay tuned for the latest updates as we cover Jake Paul’s announcement at 2 pm UK time, providing real-time news and developments on this intriguing boxing matchup.