All Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua rules after Eddie Hearn confirmed major change

It's the early hours of Saturday, 20 December, so you're either still out at your work Christmas party or just settling down for perhaps the biggest boxing fight in recent memory.

It's incredible to believe that YouTuber Jake Paul is now preparing to face a former world heavyweight champion in the form of Anthony Joshua, but the 28-year-old's professional record in boxing certainly isn't one to be sniffed at.

He boasts 12 wins from 13 so far, including one against Mike Tyson, with his only defeat coming against Tommy Fury, but Watford-born Joshua will certainly be his toughest test yet, especially after he promised to show 'no mercy' in the ring.

With some boxing experts raising concerns about Paul's safety in tonight's bout, many are wondering exactly how much of a competition we will see, but with both fighters promising to take things seriously, it will be a huge assessment of Paul's skills as a boxer if he can last more than a couple of rounds.

Since this has been classified as a professional fight, both boxers will have to follow all the rules as they face up at the Kaseya Center in Miami, where they're expected to make their ring walks at around 3.30am UK time.

However, there has been one significant change already confirmed by promoter Eddie Hearn, while many casuals tuning in for their first fight might not be aware of all the different rules they have to follow.

Both fighters had their weigh-in on Thursday (Leonardo Fernandez/Getty Images)

What are the rules for tonight's fight between Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul?

It's been confirmed that tonight's fight will be contested over eight three-minute rounds with 10-oz gloves.

Knockouts are allowed, with Joshua telling reporters in Miami earlier this week that both fighters 'have a license to kill.'

Joshua has already made weight after last night's weigh-in, and there will be no rehydration clause, meaning there is no weight restriction tonight ahead of things kicking off.

However, the big change confirmed by Joshua's promoter, Eddie Hearn, is that the duo will be fighting in a slightly larger ring than usual.

It will take place in a 22x22-foot ring, the second-largest allowed, behind a 24-by-24.

Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed the rules of the game (Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

That is larger than the standard size for professional fights, which is 20x20 feet.

Paul told Ring Magazine: “That’s accurate, pretty standard. I think fights range from 20-foot rings to 24-foot rings. So, 22 feet, I feel great about it."

Whatever the size of the ring, most boxing fans will be backing Joshua to get back to winning ways tonight following his damaging defeat to Daniel Dubois, but Netflix has seen Stranger Things than a YouTuber beating a world-class boxer, so who knows?

Anyone who wants to tune in to the fight, which is expected to start around 4am this morning in the UK, will have to be wary of a huge potential fine, even if they stream it on Netflix.