Anthony Joshua confirms controversial rule for Jake Paul fight as they go face-to-face for first time
Mark your calendars for 19 December
Anthony Joshua has confirmed that a controversial rule will be in place for his upcoming fight against Jake Paul.
In a moment none of us saw coming, ex-Heavyweight champion Joshua will face off against YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul in Florida next month. Yes, it's really happening.
The two men met face-to-face - or should I say a 'face to chest' meeting for Paul - today for a press conference which saw Joshua respond to Tyson Fury's claims that he would be knocked out by 'The Problem Child', and fans left in shock after seeing the shocking height difference between the two men.
Joshua addressed speculation about some of the rules that would be in place for the bout, which is confirmed to be a professional contest, seeing the two men fight eight three-minute rounds in 10oz gloves.
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This confirmation comes after suggestions that the match would be an exhibition fight, which means it doesn't go on either fighter's record, due to the major differences in size and experience between the two men.
However, the 36-year-old did confirm there was a weight limit for the bout, which isn't usually the norm for fights in the heavyweight division.
"I think that is the case. 111kg (245lbs) is what I've got to weigh in at. That is what I am focusing on. Anything else after that is a bonus after that," Joshua told reporters.
Standing at 6'6", Joshua weighed in at 240lbs and 244lbs for both his Oleksandr Uysk fights, but has managed to go over 250 pounds in the past.
Meanwhile, Paul, who stands at 6'1", revealed that he's struggling to gain weight and expects to be around 215 and 225lbs come 19 December.
This wouldn't be a bad final weight for the 28-year-old, considering that he was cutting weight for a fight with Gervonta Davis, but it still leaves a major advantage for Joshua.
The difference in not only size but experience between the pair has been a major talking point online, with several users voicing their concerns for Paul.
"This fight simply can't happen in a free and fair way..." commented one person under the Netflix announcement, while a second added: "This fight shouldn't be sanctioned in my opinion. It's a complete mismatch, and it's dangerous for Jake Paul."
Meanwhile, others were busy brainstorming ways in which Paul could avoid being knocked out in the first two rounds, with one user writing: That’s a massive size gap. Paul will need speed and timing, Joshua just has to keep composure and power classic David vs Goliath dynamics in the ring."
Topics: Jake Paul, Anthony Joshua, Boxing, Netflix
Brenna Cooper