Jake Paul Vs. Anthony Joshua – How Does It Play Out?
Jake Paul and former unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua are reportedly weeks away from facing each other next month.
Paul was originally scheduled to face Gervonta Davis on November 14. However, that bout was abruptly canceled amidst Davis’ legal troubles, a civil lawsuit filed by a former partner alleging battery, false imprisonment, and kidnapping. Paul’s team immediately moved on. Andre Ward, Francis Ngannou and Ryan Garcia were just some of the names linked. However, it appears that Paul vs. Joshua is now the leading match-up, with the Kaseya Center in Miami being mentioned for December.
The major stumbling block in this fight would be the competing networks. Paul fights on Netflix, while Joshua is a DAZN fighter. This was reportedly the reason why the fight did not happen before Paul announced the Tank Davis fight. And yet, Joshua’s current situation will help make the fight. He has been out of the ring since Daniel Dubois stopped him in September 2024.
AJ suffered an injury, undergoing elbow surgery. A Paul fight offers him the chance to get some rounds in before having a big bout next year. It is also less riskier than facing a more accomplished fighter, while also giving him a massive payday. Paul is coming off a win over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in June, but Joshua is a different test altogether.
The Approach
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Joshua’s goal will be to control distance and minimize risk while getting rounds in to shake off the ring rust. He will utilize his vastly superior height, reach, and amateur pedigree to keep Paul on the end of a long, sharp jab, preventing the shorter Paul from closing the distance and engaging in a brawl. Joshua should avoid fighting flat-footed, which was a flaw exploited in his losses, and focus on fundamental footwork to maintain space. He will look to patiently break Paul down, using his greater power and size to impose himself physically, and likely targeting the body early.
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Paul must be the aggressor, utilizing smart pressure and lateral movement to get inside Joshua’s long jab—the key element that will keep him out of harm’s way. Paul’s only real hope is to force the fight into an uncomfortable, messy brawl on the inside, where his raw power and hooks can be deployed, preventing AJ from utilizing his reach. He must prioritize body work to drain the larger Joshua’s stamina, hoping to exploit any potential ring rust.
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