Matchroom CEO Frank Smith refutes claims that the upcoming fight between Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua will be fixed. Speculations circulated online last week about the potential clash between Joshua and Paul this Christmas. The heavyweight bout was officially confirmed on Monday to be held on December 19 in Miami, spanning eight three-minute rounds with both fighters using 10oz gloves.
The result of the fight will impact their professional records. Despite facing allegations of fixing fights since his professional debut in 2020, Paul has consistently denied any wrongdoing. Criticism from the boxing community has labeled the fight between the 28-year-old and Joshua as ‘rigged.’
In response to the skepticism, Eddie Hearn’s associate, Frank Smith, dismissed the concerns just before the anticipated match. Smith emphasized that it is a standard eight-round professional fight without any special conditions. The showdown between Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul is scheduled to be streamed live on Netflix, accessible for free with Sky’s £15 Essential TV bundle, the lowest price offered by the brand for Sky TV.
Smith clarified that Anthony Joshua is not entering the fight under any fixed terms but with the intention to knock out Jake Paul on December 19th. Paul had initially expressed his interest in facing Joshua earlier this year, with discussions about a future bout in 2026. Following a series of events, including the cancellation of his fight with Gervonta Davis, Paul sought out other opponents before Joshua accepted the challenge.
Despite reservations about the matchup, Smith acknowledged the unexpected decision by Paul to fight Joshua, with doubts about the outcome considering Joshua’s caliber. The clash between Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul in Miami on December 19 is expected to commence around 11 pm local time, accommodating the American audience. The event will be broadcast live on Netflix, subject to potential timing adjustments based on the undercard duration.
