Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua confirmed by Netflix as full rules and details revealed

A purported boxing match between Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua is actually going ahead after Netflix confirmed 'it's real' in a social media post.

The YouTuber-turned-boxer is going to be stepping into the ring with a two-time heavyweight champion next month, and the streaming platform Netflix confirmed the details, with the fight taking place in Miami, Florida, next month at 8pm ET, which is 1am in the UK.

They confirmed that they'd be streaming the fight on 19 December and it would be a professional bout, which would mean judges, full rounds and no tricks or gimmicks, something Eddie Hearn had previously spoken about when he insisted this would be a 'real fight'.

"No, not an exhibition. We're not interested in exhibitions. It's a real fight," the boxing promoter had told Sky Sports.

"There's stuff to be resolved and discussed. It would be a real fight with Queensberry rules, 10 ounce gloves. The rounds would be agreed."

When Jake Paul fought Mike Tyson, they wore 14-ounce gloves with more padding, went eight rounds instead of 12, and the rounds were set at two minutes instead of three.

If this really is a 'real fight' as Hearn said, then it will be 10-ounce gloves, three-minute rounds and the whole shebang that comes with a serious fight.

Paul has fought the likes of Tyson, Tommy Fury and Nate Diaz before, but this is a whole other level of challenge for him to be facing off against a boxer of the calibre of Anthony Joshua, who is only eight years older than him.

This is different gravy, and with the bout being billed as a 'professional heavyweight bout', it's the sort of contest where Paul's skills as a boxer are going to be tested like never before.

The people he's stepped into the ring with previously have known how to throw a punch, but they've either not had the glittering career of a star like Joshua or they've been significantly older and had to pull out of previous fights for medical reasons.

Former boxer David Haye has said he 'genuinely fears' for Paul going into something like this, comparing it to a 'house cat' doing battle with a 'lion', as he suggested that there might be some protections put in place for Paul.

"I am struggling to believe that AJ will be allowed to freely punch Paul to the head without some sort of restriction or exhibition," Haye added.

"Unless Anthony Joshua is in hospital, connected to a life support machine, he should find a way to victory in any way he wants.

"Paul has only 12 career wins to his name, against very modest competition. AJ is an Olympic gold medallist and two-time heavyweight champion of the world - this is absolutely crazy."

However, the YouTuber-turned-boxer seems confident.

"This isn’t an AI simulation. This is Judgment Day,” said Jake Paul of the upcoming fight.

“A professional heavyweight fight against an elite world champion in his prime. 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. On Friday, December 19, under the lights in Miami, live globally only on Netflix, the torch gets passed and Britain’s Goliath gets put to sleep. I KNOWWWW YOU GOT EM PICKED HAHAHHA."

These are perhaps not wise words from Paul, since Joshua promised there would be 'no mercy' in the ring.

He said: "I took some time out and I’m coming back with a mega show. It’s a big opportunity for me. 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.”