Joshua vs Paul: What Will Happen?
- Zak Drapeau
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
by Zak Drapeau 12/19/2025
Sportz Nation
Right off the gate I have to say I don't think this fight will be like others Jake Paul has name attached to. Of all the opponents he's had and fights he's been in, Anthony Joshua not only gives him the biggest challenge but has the most to lose too.
Jake Paul's previous 6 boxing fights have been against a 58-year old, (former Heavyweight Champion and Boxing great) a 39-year old well past his prime, 2 MMA fighters, and 2 extremely inexperienced boxers, not to mention the slew of old MMA guys and basketball players before them.
In a stark contrast, Paul will now face a 36-year old heavily competitive Heavyweight boxer who is currently a Top-10 boxer in the division. Anthony Joshua is a legitimate boxer who is among the best in the world 2 divisions above Paul's.
With what should be a 40-pound difference between the two, this will undoubtedly be the toughest test for Jake Paul with oddsmakers giving him a +700 chance with the over/under set at 2.5 rounds.
So how is this fight going to go down?
The fight is scheduled for 8, 3-minute rounds with 10 oz gloves and Anthony Joshua given a 245-pound weight limit.
With Anthony Joshua making his first appearance after getting knocked out by Daniel Dubois in September 2024. With the 36-year old seemingly in the twilight of his career, him accepting this fight with Jake Paul may signal the fact he is prioritizing money over a title run these days. That being said, I believe it is VERY unlikely Joshua doesn't go for a knockout.
If Jake Paul sticks to the plan Oleksandr Usyk proved was effective versus Joshua and stays on the outside with great lateral movement, he will be able to get past the 2.5 round over/under. That being said, even for a Heavyweight Joshua has always had incredible speed and barring some behind-the-scenes handshake-type shenanigans should be able to put Jake down early.
In Paul's most publicized bout against 58-year old Mike Tyson, Tyson landed only 18 significant strikes and yes that's Mike Tyson's famous right hand but none of them were very powerful. This time around, Joshu8a's strikes should and will be the hardest Paul has ever felt.
If you are going to bet on this fight, take Joshua by Knockout (-350), Joshua by Decision (+420) and Paul by Decision (+1400).
This fight should almost definitively be ended by a Joshua Knockout but I can't get past the feeling that Jake Paul has pulled off his magic again and assured a close fight to protect his "legacy".
-Z.D. (@DrapeauZak)