Matchroom CEO Frank Smith has refuted claims that the upcoming fight between Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua will be fixed.
Speculation emerged last week regarding a potential bout between Joshua and Paul set for this Christmas. On Monday, the heavyweight clash was officially announced to occur on December 19 in Miami, scheduled for eight three-minute rounds with both fighters using 10oz gloves.
The fight’s outcome will impact their professional records. Despite previous accusations of fight-fixing since his debut in 2020, Paul has consistently denied any wrongdoing. Criticism from the boxing community has labeled the Joshua fight as ‘rigged.’
In response to these allegations, Eddie Hearn’s associate, Smith, downplayed concerns, emphasizing that the match is a standard professional fight. He made these comments on the Ariel Helwani Show.
The highly anticipated showdown between Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul will be available for streaming on Netflix. Fans can access the fight for free by opting for Sky’s £15 Essential TV bundle, the lowest price offered by the brand for Sky TV.
Smith highlighted that Joshua’s participation in the fight demonstrates his intent to win decisively, refuting any suggestions of a fixed match. The genesis of the fight stemmed from Paul’s call-out earlier in the year, with negotiations accelerating following a canceled bout with Gervonta Davis due to legal issues.
The Matchroom CEO expressed surprise at Paul’s choice to challenge Joshua, admitting it was not a decision he would have recommended. The event is expected to take place in Miami just days before Christmas, likely commencing around 11pm local time, with live coverage on Netflix.