Fight rules for Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua as boxing commission confirms if knockouts are allowed
The rules for the upcoming boxing match between Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua have been confirmed as they're set to step into the ring later this week.
Despite concerns that the fight would be off after Paul scored an injury in sparring and worries that the YouTuber turned boxer is making a grave error by picking a fight with an opponent who is larger, stronger and more experienced than him, it seems to still be occurring.
The pair of them are due to step into the ring in Florida on 19 December, though it'll be very early in the morning of 20 December for those watching in the UK, and if you want to see it you can stick on Netflix.
Paul, 28, has won 12 out of his 13 boxing matches with his only defeat coming against Tommy Fury, but a majority of his opponents have been aged UFC fighters rather than boxers of comparable age to him.
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There was of course his fight with boxing legend Mike Tyson, but that was a match which had to be postponed because Tyson 'almost died' in the lead up and ended up being a fairly unexciting affair as the rather expected result of a man in his 20s fighting a man in his late 50s played out.
The rules for Paul's fight with Tyson were significantly changed as well, with the introduction of shorter rounds and bigger gloves leading some to worry that things might be altered again for his fight with Joshua.
Fortunately, the rules for the upcoming boxing match are clear and it looks like things are going to be much more straightforward this time.
Is Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua a professional fight?
Yes, indeed it is.
This is a professional fight which means the result will be going on their records, though the BBC reports that there have been some concerns over Paul's safety since he is some way lighter than Joshua and much less experienced.
Paul's record in the ring is 12 victories, seven of them by knockout, four by unanimous decision and one by split decision, with his only professional defeat being a split decision defeat to Fury.
Joshua has a much lengthier career in the boxing ring, having won 28 out of his 32 fights and scored 25 of his victories by knockout.
He is a two-time unified world heavyweight champion whose only defeats have come to Andy Ruiz Jr, Daniel Dubois and two against Oleksandr Usyk.
What are the rules for Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua?
Unlike Paul's fight against Mike Tyson, this one is going to largely stick to the rules with eight rounds, each three minutes long and the two men wearing regulation 10oz gloves.
It's a switch up from the Tyson rules which was eight two-minute rounds and each boxer wore 14oz gloves which critics argued would slow down their punches and reduce their hitting power, making knockouts less likely.
Given the weight difference, Joshua is a heavyweight and Paul has typically fought at a cruiserweight level, Joshua cannot weight more than 17st 7lb during the weigh in which is pencilled in for Thursday (18 December).
These rules still aren't entirely typical as it's the first time Joshua has stepped into the ring for a fight that could last less than 10 rounds since May 2015.
Plenty of boxing fans have picked up on the size difference between the two boxers and there's a reason many are fearing this could be over quickly as well as genuinely worried about Paul's safety.
It's looking like a real David and Goliath competition, though in this case most of the audience are expecting Goliath to take this one.
If there is any advantage for Paul it's that he is the fresher fighter, being younger and having stepped into the ring more recently than his opponent since Joshua hasn't boxed since his defeat to Dubois in September 2024, while Paul last fought in June.
Are knockouts allowed?
Yes, according to the camps of both boxers.
Each team has confirmed that knockouts are on the table and if either Paul or Joshua can throw a hard enough punch to the other's head then one of them could end up on the canvas.
There's been no mention of protective headgear for either fighter and the rules say they'll be throwing hands clad in standard issue 10oz gloves, so there is every chance of a knockout.
Joshua has promised 'no mercy' in the ring.
If you want to watch Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua then you can do so on Netflix, it starts at 1am UK time on Saturday, 20 December.
Topics: Jake Paul, Anthony Joshua, Boxing, Netflix, Sport
Joe Harker