Jake Paul says he’s willing to go where most fighters won’t.

At the first faceoff in Miami, the size gap was glaring with the 6-foot-6 Anthony Joshua towering over the 6-foot-1 Paul, but the message from the smaller man was louder.

“I just have to avoid that one shot for eight rounds, and I believe that I can do that,” Paul said. “I want him to cut me up. I want him to break my face, but guess what? He’s going to have to kill me to stop me, and I’m ready to die. Seriously. Ready to die in the ring to win this fight.”

Joshua and Paul meet Dec. 19 at the Kaseya Center in Miami in an eight-round heavyweight bout streamed by Netflix.

Paul is leaning on belief and a game plan built on speed, angles and discipline. He called Joshua one of the best heavyweights ever.

“I like to challenge myself. I like to take on the biggest, the best. I said anyone, anytime, any place,” Paul said. “No one ever thought that this would be possible, that we would be here when I first started boxing, and no one thinks I’m going to win.”

For his part, Joshua embraced the spectacle and the risk.

“It’s massive. It’s colossal. It’s making big news. We’re bringing marketability together with ability,” Joshua said. “If I’m going to be honest, I’m going to break his face, I’m going to break his body up, I’m going to stomp all over him.”

The rules add a wrinkle. Joshua must weigh no more than 245 pounds at the official weigh-in. He’s hovered at 250 pounds or more in recent outings. Paul, who was slimming down for a canceled Gervonta Davis date, expects to come in between 215 and 225 after bulking back up.

There’s history on both sides. Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs) remains one of the heavyweight division’s most destructive punchers. Paul (12-1, 7 KOs) has stacked names, from Tyron Woodley to Anderson Silva to a decision over 59-year-old Mike Tyson, and he has built a team he trusts.

“People say, ‘I respect Jake Paul for getting in there,’” Paul said. “No. Respect me because I’m about to win.”

-Reuters

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YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul will fight former unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in an eight-round professional heavyweight bout on December 19 at Miami’s Kaseya Center, Most Valuable Promotions announced on Monday.

Paul, 28, will face arguably the most accomplished opponent of his career in 36-year-old Joshua, a two-time holder of the WBO, WBA and IBF belts.

The event is set to be streamed globally on Netflix and marks Paul’s second live appearance on the streaming platform following last year’s win over Mike Tyson.

“This isn’t an AI simulation. This is Judgment Day. A professional heavyweight fight against an elite world champion in his prime,” Paul said in a statement, promising to put “Britain’s Goliath” to sleep.

“When I beat Anthony Joshua, every doubt disappears and no one can deny me the opportunity to fight for a world title. To all my haters, this is what you wanted. To the people of the United Kingdom, I am sorry.”

Joshua, a 2012 Olympic gold medallist and two-time unified world champion, has a 28-4 record with 25 knockouts.

However, he lost twice to Oleksandr Usyk and was knocked out by Daniel Dubois in September last year in an IBF heavyweight title bout – his last professional fight.

Joshua said there would be “no mercy” when he enters the ring to face Paul.

“I took some time out and I’m coming back with a mega show. It’s a big opportunity for me,” he said.

“Whether you like it or not, I’m here to do massive numbers, have big fights and break every record whilst keeping cool, calm and collected.

“Mark my words, you’ll see a lot more fighters take these opportunities in the future. I’m about to break the internet over Jake Paul’s face.”

-Reuters

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Nigerian-born Irish boxer Daniel Fakoyede has declared his ambition to conquer the global heavyweight boxing scene after making an explosive professional debut in Dublin.

The 27-year-old fighter, who competes in the Super Heavyweight category, announced his arrival in the paid ranks with a first-round knockout victory over Polish opponent Mateusz Rybarski at the National Stadium, Dublin — a bout that lasted just 72 seconds.

Born on March 17, 1998, in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, Fakoyede moved with his family to Ireland in October 2000, where he grew up in Dublin. Now representing Ireland, he has a professional record of 10 bouts, with seven wins coming by knockout, reflecting a KO rate of over 57 percent.

Speaking about his journey, Fakoyede said his love for boxing began as a teenager, inspired by former world champion Anthony Joshua, whose success and charisma motivated him to pursue the sport seriously.

“I wanted to win the love and respect of people just as Anthony Joshua did through his boxing and likeable character,” he said.

Fakoyede began his boxing career in October 2019 under head coach Frank Stacey at the Westside Boxing Club, where he honed his skills as an amateur. After amassing an amateur record of 7 wins and 3 losses, with a knockout ratio of 71 percent, he transitioned into professional boxing in 2024.

To prepare for the professional circuit, Fakoyede joined Unit 3 Boxing Gym under coach Niall Barrett, before signing a management deal in May 2025 with Sheer Sports Management, headed by former Irish professional boxer Jason Quigley.

Now based in Dublin, Fakoyede says his goal extends beyond personal success. He hopes to inspire a new generation of athletes from immigrant backgrounds whose parents may be hesitant about boxing.

“I want to create opportunities for those coming after me who come from immigrant families like mine,” he explained. “Many parents are skeptical about boxing, but the sport teaches structure, discipline, and self-control.”

He also emphasized the mental and emotional discipline required to excel in boxing.

“Boxing isn’t about anger or violence,” he said. “It’s about dedication, discipline, perseverance, and intelligence. An angry, wild boxer won’t go far, but one with a cool head and a great work ethic will.”

Fakoyede credits boxing with giving him focus and direction during his youth, encouraging parents to let energetic children channel their drive into sports.

“Boxing gave me structure and kept me disciplined during my tumultuous days growing up,” he reflected.

With his powerful knockout debut and a growing reputation in Ireland’s boxing circuit, Daniel Fakoyede is now setting his sights on climbing the heavyweight ladder — determined to make both Nigeria and Ireland proud.

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