In a recent development, Ryan Garcia has cast doubt on the proposed heavyweight bout between Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua. The highly anticipated match is scheduled to take place on December 19 in Miami, featuring an eight-round showdown with both fighters wearing 10oz gloves. Paul, who last fought in June against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, had a previous matchup with Gervonta Davis canceled due to legal issues faced by his opponent.
On the other hand, Joshua has been inactive since his defeat to Daniel Dubois in September 2024. Initially planning a comeback, Joshua accepted the challenge from Paul. Following a recent press conference in Miami where the two fighters met face-to-face, Garcia expressed skepticism about the fight, citing a significant size difference between the competitors.
The upcoming clash between Joshua and Paul is set to be live-streamed on Netflix, available for free with Sky’s £15 Essential TV bundle. The tension escalated when Paul responded to Garcia’s doubts, highlighting Garcia’s own recent fights and calling out his professional record.
After the cancellation of Paul’s fight with Davis, Paul expressed interest in facing Garcia, with both fighters engaging in online exchanges. However, it was revealed that DAZN, the streaming service, declined the opportunity for Garcia to switch platforms for the fight, leading to speculation about their strategic decisions based on the fighters’ perceived outcomes.
The highly anticipated Joshua vs. Paul fight is scheduled for December 19 in Miami, with the event airing on Netflix. This clash precedes the Christmas celebrations, with the fighters expected to enter the ring around 11 pm local time, potentially at 4 am UK time. Fight timings may vary depending on the undercard bouts, with the event catering to the American audience and subject to scheduling adjustments.