Just one week after a planned exhibition with Gervonta “Tank” Davis was called off, Jake Paul is set to headline a December boxing match against former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.
The event is set to take place in Miami and stream live on Netflix, signaling the platform’s continued investment in live sports and celebrity-driven boxing entertainment, though no official date has been announced at this time, according to Mike Coppinger of The Ring.
Most Valuable Promotions CEO Nakisa Bidarian said the cancellation of the Davis fight did not alter the company’s long-term plans to schedule a major fight between Paul and another well-known fighter.
“While we will not be moving forward with this event, our plan still remains for Jake Paul to headline an event on Netflix in 2025. Details regarding a new date, location, Jake’s opponent, and additional bouts will be shared as soon as they are finalized,” she said, per CBS Sports.
During his short boxing career, Paul has built an unconventional résumé as a professional, holding a record of 12-1 despite scrutiny about his opponents.
This criticism reached a tipping point when Paul took on 56-year-old Mike Tyson during a match in November 2024, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
Paul’s new opponent brings a vastly different level of experience, as Joshua holds a 28-4 record and multiple world titles across a decade-long career.
Boxing commentator Sergio Mora said the matchup, if finalized, would be an impressive decision by Paul, noting that he is prepared to “give him credit” for matching up against a real opponent.
“This is a legitimate challenge: Going from a 5-5 lightweight he’s going to bully around (Gervonta Davis) to a former heavyweight champion who’s likely going to bully him around. I’ve got to respect a man who’s signed up to get his a** whooped on national television,” he added, per Boxing Scene.
Paul’s latest fight schedule comes just days after his exhibition bout with Davis was scrapped.
That fight had been scheduled for November but was canceled after legal issues involving Davis surfaced, resulting in Paul having to find another fighter who was ready to step in on short notice, according to ESPN.
Now, with Anthony Joshua in the opposite corner and Netflix on board, Paul’s path forward in the world of professional boxing has become both clearer and far more daunting.