Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua: Why They’re Fighting, When It Happens, and How to Watch on Netflix

Jake Paul facing Anthony Joshua in a sanctioned professional boxing match is one of the most unlikely crossover events the sport has seen in years, but it’s now happening — and it’s a major Netflix showcase.

The fight is scheduled for Friday night at the Kaseya Center in Miami. Ring walks for the main event are expected around 10:30 p.m. Eastern. The bout is sanctioned by the Florida Athletic Commission and set for eight three-minute rounds, with both fighters wearing 10-ounce gloves. The card will stream exclusively on Netflix, continuing the platform’s push into live sports after Paul’s previous event against Mike Tyson drew a massive global audience.

So how did this matchup come together? Paul and his company, Most Valuable Productions, initially planned a different blockbuster: a bout against lightweight world champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis. That fight was scrapped in November after Davis faced a misdemeanor domestic violence charge, leaving the scheduled Netflix date without a headliner. Attention then shifted to Joshua — a far bigger and more dangerous opponent.

Joshua, 36, is a former two-time unified heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medalist who has been looking for a return after stepping away following a 2024 loss to Daniel Dubois. His promoter, Eddie Hearn, has described the opportunity as too big to pass up, citing the financial upside and the chance to expand Joshua’s profile in the United States.

Paul, 28, has spent years training seriously and insists this is not as one-sided as critics believe, saying he has the power to pull off a shock result. Joshua, meanwhile, has promised a stoppage and has faced criticism and scrutiny about the mismatch — including concerns about safety given the size and experience gap.

There’s also a weight stipulation for Joshua: he must come in at 245 pounds or below at the official weigh-in, a first in his professional career. The undercard is described as stacked and includes top women’s boxing talent, including world champion Alycia Baumgardner.

Credit: CNN Newsource

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