Anthony Joshua Vs Jake Paul Blockbuster Miami Fight Confirmed

Paul Steps In After Gervonta Davis Exhibition Collapses

Jake Paul accepted the Joshua fight after his proposed exhibition with Gervonta Davis fell through earlier this month. The 28-year-old has remained a major draw since his widely publicised—and controversial—win over Mike Tyson in Texas last November, an event that attracted more than 60 million views on Netflix.

Paul currently holds a 12-1 professional record, with critics noting that most wins came against ageing fighters or opponents with limited pedigree. Tommy Fury remains the only man to have defeated him.

Joshua’s First Bout Since 2024 Knockout

For Joshua, 36, this will be his first appearance since suffering a knockout loss to Daniel Dubois during their IBF title fight at Wembley in September 2024. The decision to meet Paul has sparked mixed reactions, especially among boxing purists who question why a two-time unified heavyweight champion is sharing a ring with a crossover fighter.

Still, the enormous financial incentive appears to have played a decisive role.

Saudi Influence: Bigger Plans for 2026

Behind the scenes, influential Saudi advisor Turki Alalshikh has hinted at major plans for Joshua’s career beyond the December bout.

Speaking on DAZN last month ahead of the Conor Benn vs Chris Eubank Jr fight, Alalshikh teased multiple blockbuster events lined up for 2026.

“We have next year, two big events in London,” he said.
“We will have Joshua in our country in February, then there is the big fight—one of the greatest in the history of boxing—maybe in September.”

When pressed on whether the long-awaited Joshua vs Tyson Fury fight is finally close, he replied cautiously:

“I will not give you the answer… but we will have big fights in April, maybe at Tottenham, then in September a big surprise for the fans.”

Hearn: ‘Joshua Wants Fury’

Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, sounded equally optimistic:

“We have a lot of plans for Anthony Joshua’s future. He wants to regain the world heavyweight championship; he wants to, of course, fight Tyson Fury.”

Hearn insisted that all major decisions involving Joshua are now being made in partnership with Alalshikh.

But Everything Depends on Miami

Despite all the grand plans for 2026, the road to a Joshua–Fury super-fight hinges on what happens in Miami next month.

An upset defeat to Jake Paul would derail momentum, weaken Joshua’s negotiating power, and possibly close the door on the heavyweight clash fans have been waiting nearly a decade to see.