Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul confirmed for December bout as Briton sets return to the ring

Anthony Joshua's return to the ring has been confirmed for next month, with the two-time heavyweight champion set to face Jake Paul in Miami on December 19.

The Briton, who has not fought since a fifth-round loss to Daniel Dubois in September 2024, will start his comeback against 'The Problem Child' in just over four weeks.

Paul, originally due to face Gervonta 'Tank' Davis in an exhibition bout earlier this November, has been seeking a new opponent after the bout was pulled at short notice.

Now, he has found his latest foe in what marks the greatest test of his credentials so far, with the pair set to contest a professional encounter at heavyweight in Florida.

Ring Magazine

Joshua is one of the most decorated boxers of his generation, a London 2012 gold-medal victor who turned glittering amateur success into a sterling top-division career.

He enjoyed two separate reigns as world champion, and recorded wins over Wladimir Klitschko, Joseph Parker and Charles Martin among others during his imperial reign.

A surprise loss to Andy Ruiz Jr. was avenged in short order in 2019, but consecutive losses to Oleksandr Usyk in their unified title bouts checked the star's momentum.

Joshua subsequently embarked on a string of comeback victories, only to come unstuck for a fourth time in his pro life against Dubois in an IBF title challenge last year.

Now, he will face off with Paul, who recorded victories over an aged Mike Tyson and Julio César Chávez Jr. over the past twelve months to move to a 12-1 record himself.

The pair's fight comes amid speculation that Joshua's long-awaited super-bout with Tyson Fury could be set for 2026, after major hints by His Excellency Turki Alalshikh.

The latter confirmed the former would also fight in February, just two months after his Paul bout, in Riyadh, with a dream "big fight" set to follow later in London in September.

DAZN Analysis: Fans may expect more but Joshua's legacy already secure

DAZN News Chief Correspondent Christopher Walker

Expect Anthony Joshua to receive a lot of criticism in the next few weeks for choosing to fight Jake Paul next month.

Fight fans and critics have long wanted to see Joshua face Tyson Fury, but instead they will see him line up against an opponent who has built his career fighting faded names, former UFC stars, and of course a near 60-year-old Mike Tyson. Boxing fans expect more from Joshua.

His argument will be that the offer, likely one that runs into tens of millions, was too much to turn down as he looks to stay busy ahead what could be a prosperous 2026.

Paul, realistically, should not provide any sort of threat and if Joshua can eradicate him in the opening seconds, the most likely result, and be well paid for it, then why should he turn it down?

His legacy is secure, he has an Olympic gold medal, he is a former two-time world heavyweight champion. Obtaining millions against a boxing novice at this stage of his career is perhaps the easiest decision of his life. The fight could be even simpler.

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