Boxing fans all across the world are buzzing about “Judgment Day,” the highly anticipated Anthony Joshua vs. Jake Paul battle on December 19, 2025, at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. What was already shaping up to be a spectacle has gained even more attention — not for bluster or trash talk, but for Joshua’s significant size advantage over his opponent during the official weigh-in. 

At Thursday’s official weigh-in, former two-time unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua weighed 243.4 pounds, while YouTuber-turned-pro fighter Jake Paul weighed 216.4 pounds, giving Joshua a 27-pound advantage.

Size Matters: What the Weight Gap Really Means

Weight may be a huge impact in boxing, especially when a seasoned heavyweight like Joshua faces an opponent who has spent the majority of his career in lower weight divisions. Paul, 28, has primarily battled at the cruiserweight limit (under 200 pounds) and has only lately bulked up to compete as a heavyweight for this fight. Joshua, 36, has fought for the majority of his professional career at or above 245 pounds, but he decided to fight under a 245-pound contractual cap to level the field.

The nearly 27-pound difference is more than just a number on a scale; it reflects decades of training, natural stature, and physical maturity. Joshua is 6-foot-6 with an 82-inch reach, whilst Paul, rated at 6-foot-1 with a lesser reach, faces the physical task of overcoming a major height and weight disadvantage as well. 

Even with the weigh-in limit, Joshua could rehydrate and gain weight before the fight, as there is no rehydration clause in his contract. This means that on fight night, he could outweigh Paul even more.

Different Worlds: Experience vs. Hype

This fight represents a stark contrast in boxing backgrounds.

Anthony Joshua is a classically trained competitor, a 2012 Olympic gold winner, and a former two-time unified heavyweight world champion who has competed against top-tier opponents. His professional resume includes fights with top-tier heavyweights and true championship matches. 

Jake Paul, on the other hand, has forged an own route in combat sports. Initially renowned as a social media star, Paul switched to boxing and has a remarkable 12-1 professional record with seven knockouts. However, the majority of his victories have come against non-elite, non-traditional opponents, with his solitary professional loss being to Tommy Fury in 2023.

The matchup is not merely a contest of fists — it’s a clash between old-school boxing pedigree and new-era spectacle, with both fighters doubling down on their own narratives.

Paul’s Gamble and Joshua’s Motivation

Despite his considerable size disadvantage, Paul remains defiant. In the run-up to the fight, he’s played the underdog part, even using basketball analogies to communicate his feelings: comparing Joshua to LeBron James and himself to Austin Reaves, presenting the fight as a story of a rising underdog versus an established superstar. 

Joshua’s point of view is similarly apparent. Stepping in as a replacement opponent on short notice — after Gervonta Davis’s original fight was canceled due to legal difficulties — he sees this as more than a show. Despite the novelty of Paul’s ascension, Joshua insists on competing professionally and aims for a definite performance.

Rules, Rounds, and Fight Night Expectations

The fight will last eight three-minute rounds, which is shorter than usual championship bouts of ten or twelve rounds, and the fighters will wear 10-ounce gloves in a fully sanctioned heavyweight contest. Knockouts are authorized, and the outcome could be critical not just in terms of performance but also in long-term employment. 

With Joshua relying on size, reach, and elite-level punching power, and Paul relying on quickness, crisp combinations, and emotional momentum, the difference in styles and stature will be a major theme when the bell rings.

A Fight That Has People Talking

Whether you watch for the athletic competition or the larger story of tradition versus disruption, this event has sparked global interest. From the weight difference to the Netflix broadcast platform, to the collision of personalities and boxing philosophies, Joshua vs. Paul is more than just a bout; it is a cultural moment. 

As fans debate whether technique can conquer stature or show trumps substance, one thing is certain: when Joshua and Paul enter the ring in Miami, the entire boxing world will be watching every pound, punch, and punchline.