Matchroom CEO Frank Smith has refuted claims that the upcoming fight between Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua will be fixed. Reports emerged last week indicating that Joshua and Paul were in the final stages of arranging a bout set for this Christmas. The heavyweight clash was officially confirmed to occur on December 19 in Miami, spanning eight three-minute rounds with both fighters using 10oz gloves.
Moreover, the outcome of the fight will impact their professional records. Paul, who started his professional boxing career in 2020, has faced accusations of match-fixing, which he has consistently denied. Critics within the boxing community have criticized the fight between the 28-year-old Paul and Joshua, labeling it as ‘rigged.’
In response to these allegations, Matchroom’s Frank Smith downplayed the concerns regarding the fight, emphasizing that it is a standard eight-round professional bout. He clarified this stance on the Ariel Helwani Show, asserting that Joshua is entering the ring with the intention of defeating Paul decisively.
The much-anticipated showdown between Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul is scheduled for December 19 in Miami and will be broadcast live on Netflix. This event can be accessed for free by fans through Sky’s £15 Essential TV bundle, which is being promoted as the ‘lowest ever price’ for Sky TV subscribers.
Paul had expressed interest in facing Joshua earlier this year, with discussions even hinting at a future fight in 2026. However, negotiations appeared to stall until Joshua accepted the challenge after Paul’s previous fight plans were derailed. Reflecting on the sudden turn of events, Smith revealed that the fight agreement materialized swiftly within a week.
While acknowledging the audacity of Paul’s decision to take on Joshua, Smith admitted that he personally would not have recommended this matchup. The Matchroom CEO highlighted the stark contrast in skill levels between Paul and Joshua, suggesting that Paul may have overreached in his choice of opponent.
The anticipated clash between Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul is set to unfold in Miami on December 19, just ahead of Christmas. The fight is expected to commence around 11 pm local time, translating to 4 am in the UK. Fight times may be adjusted to accommodate the American audience and depend on the duration of the undercard matches. Viewers can watch the event live on Netflix.