Ryan Garcia has expressed skepticism about the likelihood of a heavyweight bout between Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua happening as scheduled. The anticipated face-off between the YouTuber-turned-boxer and the former two-time heavyweight champion is set for December 19 in Miami, featuring eight three-minute rounds with both fighters using 10oz gloves. While Paul’s last fight was a decision win against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in June, an intended match with Gervonta Davis was canceled due to legal issues faced by Davis. Joshua, on the other hand, has been inactive since suffering a knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois in September 2024. Despite plans for a comeback, Joshua accepted the challenge from Paul, with the two recently meeting at a press conference in Miami.
During the face-off, observers noted a significant size difference between the fighters, leading Garcia to cast doubts on the fight’s occurrence, citing the perceived disadvantage. Paul, however, responded to Garcia’s comments, questioning his own recent fights and credentials. Following the cancellation of Paul’s bout with Davis, the American boxer called out several opponents, including Garcia. Despite their history of online exchanges, streaming service DAZN prevented Garcia from switching platforms to fight Paul, citing existing agreements with Matchroom Boxing for Joshua’s appearance on Netflix.
The upcoming match between Joshua and Paul is scheduled for December 19 in Miami and will be live-streamed on Netflix, accessible through Sky’s £15 Essential TV bundle. The event has stirred controversy and anticipation within the boxing community, with conflicting opinions on the potential outcomes of the clash. The fight is expected to take place just days before Christmas, with a likely ring entrance time of around 11 pm local time, translating to 4 am in the UK. The event’s timing may vary based on the undercard duration and is subject to adjustment. Viewers can catch the action live on Netflix as the fighters battle for supremacy in the ring.