Summary

  1. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 02:55 GMT 20 December 2025

    #bbcboxing, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    We've just been talking over our predictions for the main event.

    Unsurprisingly, we've all gone for Anthony Joshua to win and none of us see it going beyond three rounds.

    How do you see it playing out? You can vote below.

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  2. The world champion's view - how good is Jake Paul?published at 02:54 GMT 20 December 2025

    Paul v Joshua

    Two-weight world champion Natasha Jonas hasn't been impressed with Jake Paul's skills but isn't ruling out his chances of eventually getting a world title shot.

    "Anything is possible," Jonas told BBC Sport.

    "He’s a novice right now, probably like an area level type of fighter. Sometimes it’s a bit of a popularity contest with the WBC so anything is possible. Boxing is a business, at the end of the day."

    Jonas feels his lack of experience could actually prove to be his biggest strength.

    "When someone is so raw and novicey, you can’t predict what they will throw because they don’t know what they’re going to throw," Jonas said.

    "Two high quality fighters it’s like a chess match but a novice has the rawness which can play into their hands."

  3. Postpublished at 02:53 GMT 20 December 2025

    Kal Sajad
    BBC Sport at Kaseya Center, Miami

    Wow - now that is some ring walk. One of the best I've seen in a long time. Alycia Baumgardner owned it. She has to back it up now, though.

  4. Who has Jake Paul fought?published at 02:51 GMT 20 December 2025

    Paul v Joshua

    Tommy Fury holds up his boxing glove and has a belt over his shoulderImage source, Getty Images

    From AnEsonGib to Anthony Joshua in five years is not bad going.

    Jake Paul heads to the ring tonight with 12 wins and one defeat on his record and seven of those victories have come by knockout.

    Victories early in his career against former UFC fighters Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley and Anderson Silva help to earn some respect, but there were huge calls for him to face an active professional boxer.

    That did happen in 2023 when Paul lost against Tommy Fury.

    Paul has since won six in a row but the levels of opponent, albeit some big names, have to be questioned due to inactivity and age. A victory over former undisputed heavyweight champion Mike Tyson might have been something to boast about in the 1980s but doesn't earn much credit in 2024.

    Paul last fought in June and earned a unanimous decision win over former middleweight world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

  5. Predictions - 'top-level boxing is just a different kettle'published at 02:49 GMT 20 December 2025

    Paul v Joshua

    Retired heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis: "The bell rings, Joshua goes out there and throws a jab. Paul is going to be running around, trying to stay away from Joshua's power.

    "Joshua's going to catch up to him, throw a couple body punches and hard jabs, hard right hands and soften him up.

    "Second round, Paul is gone."

    Former two-weight world champion Natasha Jonas: "If Jake Paul survives the fight, it looks bad for boxing. But if Joshua goes out and does what we hope and think he will, maybe it puts an end to this mockery.

    "But there's no way Jake can run around the ring for eight rounds and not get caught. You are going to get hit, that's a guarantee in boxing. Can he withstand any type of meaningful shot from Joshua? No.

    "Hopefully Joshua just knocks him out within the 10 seconds and everyone who has bought a ticket or ordered the fight will realise that top-level boxing is just a different kettle."

  6. Simpson v Williamson on BBC Threepublished at 02:47 GMT 20 December 2025

    Callum Simpson and Troy Williamson face offImage source, Boxxer

    While we've got you, just a reminder that there is some boxing on BBC iPlayer and BBC Three tonight.

    Callum Simpson defends his British, European and Commonwealth super-middleweight titles against Troy Williamson in Leeds.

    Undercard action begins from 18:00 GMT on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website and app before BBC Three coverage and live text commentary begins from 19:30.

  7. Can Baumgardner end wait for knockout win?published at 02:46 GMT 20 December 2025

    Baumgardner v Beaudoin

    Alycia Baumgardner is the favourite tonight. She is one of the best female fighters on the planet.

    She may be a big puncher, but she is looking for her first stoppage since 2021.

    Alycia Baumgardner's punch performance.  Avg. punches thrown per round	38.7 Avg. punches landed per round	11.1 Jab connect %	16.8 Avg. power punches thrown per round	19.7 Avg. power punches landed per round	7.9 Power punch connect %	40.1
  8. Postpublished at 02:44 GMT 20 December 2025

    Kal Sajad
    BBC Sport at Kaseya Center, Miami

    Golfing great Rory McIlroy - fresh from his Sports Personality of the Year triumph - is among those here, having made a rapid turnaround from Thursday night’s ceremony in Salford to Miami.

    Rappers Rick Ross and Timbaland are also expected to arrive shortly, while boxing royalty Bernard Hopkins is already here.

  9. Paul has 'no fear' but Joshua bringing 'full' selfpublished at 02:44 GMT 20 December 2025

    Paul v Joshua

    Jake Paul insists he has no fear about facing Anthony Joshua but the Briton is a knockout artist with 25 from his 28 wins.

    Joshua's knockout win against Robert Helenius was unsettling and he put former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou on the canvas with a single punch.

    Asked directly about safety of this bout, Joshua sidestepped the question.

    "He's got his groin guard on and his gum shield," Joshua said. "That's the only safety he is allowed."

    Joshua has promised fans will see the "full" version of himself against Paul - and that raises questions over whether this fight should be taking place.

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  10. Postpublished at 02:43 GMT 20 December 2025

    Just one more fight until the main event.

    Alycia Baumgardner puts her WBA, IBF & WBO super-featherweight world titles on the line against Lela Beaudoin next.

    Unlike most fights we see in women's boxing that take place over two minute rounds, this one is scheduled for 12-three minute rounds.

  11. How tall are Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua?published at 02:40 GMT 20 December 2025

    Paul v Joshua

    Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua face offImage source, Getty Images

    Putting the gulf in experience aside, there's also a major height and weight difference between Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua.

    Joshua stands at 6ft 6in with a 82in reach, while Paul is 6ft 1in with a 76in reach.

    Paul has spent most of his career competing as a cruiserweight with Joshua campaigning at heavyweight.

    For the first time in his career Joshua had to make weight for this bout with a stipulation he couldn't weigh more than 17st 7lb (111kg).

    Joshua tipped the scales at 17st 5lb (110kg), with Paul weighing 15st 7lb (98kg).

  12. Postpublished at 02:38 GMT 20 December 2025

    Nigel coming in with the cricket-boxing crossover.

    If you're interested, England are chasing Australia on day four of the third Ashes Test in Adelaide.

    You can see how they are getting on here.

  13. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 02:38 GMT 20 December 2025

    #bbcboxing, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    I wonder if Jake Paul reckons he could score a 100 for England on a Day 5 Adelaide pitch as well as beating Anthony Joshua.

    Nigel, Battersea

  14. Joshua’s words raise safety fearspublished at 02:37 GMT 20 December 2025

    Paul v Joshua

    Kal Sajad
    BBC Sport at Kaseya Center, Miami

    Anthony Joshua caused a stir at a media event on Tuesday when he said: “If I can kill you, I’ll kill you.” He then doubled down on those comments at Wednesday’s news conference.

    Any reference to killing or death is a huge taboo in boxing - and for good reason.

    Joshua’s words lay bare the safety concerns around this fight. There’s nearly a two-stone weight difference, and an immeasurable gap in experience and achievement.

    Many feel this shouldn’t have been sanctioned as a professional contest by the Florida commission. At this point, the hope is simply that Jake Paul comes out of it unscathed.

  15. The coach's view - how good is Jake Paul?published at 02:35 GMT 20 December 2025

    Paul v Joshua

    Jake Paul claps his handsImage source, Getty Images

    Trainer Joe Gallagher knows how to shape a world champion. He's guided Anthony Crolla, Liam Smith, Callum Smith, Natasha Jonas and Lawrence Okolie among others to that level.

    But what does he think about Jake Paul's ability?

    "He's not your textbook fighter that has come through an amateur system, where he has to put together the basics," Gallagher told BBC Sport.

    "There's an awkwardness to him and his record shows that he can punch, he’s hit people and put them over. But for someone like Anthony Joshua, this should be bread and butter."

    Paul has made no secret of his ambition to win a world title and Gallagher believes he could get a shot down the line.

    "In this day and age, with all the different bodies, you can never say never," Gallagher said.

    "Whether he wins or not, though, that's another thing, but I'm sure he will work himself in a position to challenge for a world title."

  16. Predictions - AJ 'could disintegrate' Paulpublished at 02:32 GMT 20 December 2025

    Paul v Joshua

    British heavyweight Frazer Clarke: "I was shocked at Jake Paul taking this fight - he's crazy.

    "I know AJ well and if he chooses to - you know in a PlayStation game you would hit people and they would disappear? He could disintegrate Jake Paul.

    "I have felt AJ's force, I have felt the power - he's different level."

    Retired two-weight world champion Carl Frampton: "I think it might be a bit harder for Joshua to hit Paul clean early on than people think. It should be a one or two round fight.

    "If AJ doesn't hit him clean then I think he chases Paul into the corner and beats him up until the referee jumps in."

  17. Silva stops Woodley & targets police academypublished at 02:31 GMT 20 December 2025

    Silva beats Woodley by TKO

    That didn't last long!

    It was a pretty slow first round, but a beautiful uppercut from Anderson Silva drops Tyron Woodley in round two, and he failed to convince the referee that he was fit to continue.

    At 50-years-old Silva now has his fourth professional boxing win, and he said after the fight that this wouldn't be his last time in the ring.

    He called out former UFC fighter Chris Weidman for a bout next.

    Silva also says he plans to become a police officer.

    "I go back to work right now and start my police academy to Beverley Hills PD," Silva says.

    Anderson Silva drops Tyrone WoodleyImage source, Getty Images
  18. 'Method to this madness'published at 02:28 GMT 20 December 2025

    Paul v Joshua

    Eddie Hearn
    Matchroom promoter

    I have no real defence of Anthony Joshua versus Jake Paul. It's crazy that it's happening and I think the critics are spot on.

    But we just couldn't turn it down.

    We took a fight that we believe will be very straightforward, will give AJ a huge profile in America and one of his career-high paydays.

    We have a clear strategy in mind - to knock Jake out asap. Then we go into normal service being resumed in 2026.

    AJ will fight against a world-class opponent in February and - if all goes well - he will then fight Tyson Fury.

    So there's a method to this madness and taking this fight does not affect AJ's legacy. But losing to Jake or it even going the distance would.

    It would be an absolute disaster and awfully embarrassing.

  19. How big is the ring?published at 02:25 GMT 20 December 2025

    Paul v Joshua

    During Wednesday's news conference Jake Paul was asked about the size of the ring for tonight's bout and he confirmed it is 22-by-22-foot.

    Boxing rings can differ in size but tend to range between 20-by-20 and 22-by-22.

    If Paul had any say in opting for a larger one then it might give us an insight to his gameplan. Could Joshua be chasing the American?

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  20. Paul ready to 'shock the world'published at 02:24 GMT 20 December 2025

    Paul v Joshua

    Jake Paul has never been short on confidence and he's already preparing for his coronation as the "king of boxing".