Anthony Joshua has successfully met the required weight for his upcoming bout against Jake Paul, accomplishing this milestone two weeks ahead of schedule.
The former two-time heavyweight champion had been inactive in the ring since his defeat by knockout to Daniel Dubois in September 2024. Joshua took time off to recover from injuries sustained during that match but underwent successful elbow surgery and resumed training shortly after.
The highly anticipated professional heavyweight showdown between Joshua and Paul is scheduled for December 19 in Miami. The fight will consist of eight three-minute rounds, with both fighters using 10oz gloves. Joshua was mandated to weigh in below 245lb for the match, while Paul, who previously faced Mike Tyson, had a more straightforward transition back to heavyweight.
Fans can watch the fight live on Netflix, which is available for free with Sky’s £15 Essential TV bundle. Despite initial concerns that Joshua needed to shed 20lb, he recently revealed his current weight of 111kg (244.7Ib), alleviating worries about meeting the required weight limit.
Promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed that Joshua is already in Miami and in excellent condition for the fight. Looking ahead, a victory in this match could boost Joshua’s confidence as he eyes a potentially significant year in 2026, including a possible summer showdown with Tyson Fury.
Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh hinted at future events involving Joshua in London, with plans for a major fight in September. The clash between Joshua and Paul in Miami is set to take place on December 19, just days before Christmas, with the ring entrance likely around 11pm local time. The event will be broadcast live on Netflix, with timings subject to adjustment depending on the undercard duration.