YouTube sensation-turned-boxer Jake Paul will take on former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in Miami next month, Matchroom Boxing announced on Monday.
The bout is scheduled for December 19 at the Kaseya Center, Florida, and will be streamed live on Netflix. The fight will feature eight three-minute rounds, with both fighters wearing 10-ounce gloves.
Paul, 28, holds a 12-1 professional record and last year defeated heavyweight legend Mike Tyson in Texas. He also claimed a unanimous-decision victory over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in June.
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The American fighter had been slated to face Gervonta Davis this month, but the match was cancelled following a civil lawsuit filed against the WBA lightweight champion.
Joshua, 36, is a former two-time unified world heavyweight champion, making the showdown one of the most anticipated cross-generational heavyweight bouts in recent times.
“This isn’t an AI simulation, this is judgment day,” said Paul.
“A professional heavyweight fight against an elite world champion in his prime. When I beat Anthony Joshua, every doubt disappears and no one can deny me the opportunity to fight for a world title.
“To all my haters, this is what you wanted. To the people of the United Kingdom, I am sorry. On Friday, December 19, under the lights in Miami… the torch gets passed and Britain’s Goliath gets put to sleep.”
Joshua, who has not fought since being stopped by British compatriot Daniel Dubois at Wembley in September last year in their IBF title bout, said it was a “big opportunity”.
“Whether you like it or not, I’m here to do massive numbers, have big fights and break every record whilst keeping cool, calm and collected,” he said.
“Mark my words, you’ll see a lot more fighters take these opportunities in the future. I’m about to break the internet over Jake Paul’s face.”
