Matchroom CEO Frank Smith has refuted claims that the upcoming fight between Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua will be fixed. Recent reports indicated that the two fighters were finalizing a deal to compete this Christmas. The heavyweight bout is now officially scheduled for December 19 in Miami, set to consist of eight three-minute rounds with both fighters using 10oz gloves.
The outcome of the match will be reflected in their professional records. Despite previous accusations of fixing fights since his debut in 2020, Paul has consistently denied any wrongdoing throughout his career. Critics within the boxing community have criticized the fight between the 28-year-old and Joshua, labeling it as potentially ‘rigged.’
In response to these allegations, Matchroom’s Frank Smith downplayed the concerns, emphasizing that the upcoming bout is a standard eight-round professional fight. He clarified that the fight is not an exhibition and stated that Joshua is fully committed to winning decisively on December 19.
The clash between Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul will be streamed live on Netflix, available to fans through Sky’s £15 Essential TV bundle, which is being promoted as the brand’s ‘lowest ever price’ for Sky TV subscriptions. The fight is expected to be a fierce showdown with Joshua aiming to secure a knockout victory against Paul.
Paul had initially expressed interest in facing Joshua earlier this year, and after a series of events, the fight was finally confirmed. Despite facing setbacks in previous match arrangements, including a canceled fight with Gervonta Davis, Paul’s persistence led to Joshua accepting the challenge. Smith revealed that discussions for the fight accelerated rapidly, culminating in the agreement within a week.
The highly anticipated match between Joshua and Paul is scheduled to take place in Miami on December 19, just days before Christmas. The fight is expected to commence around 11 pm local time, translating to 4 am in the UK. Viewers can watch the event live on Netflix, although the exact timing may vary depending on the undercard proceedings.