Anthony Joshua faces a massive physical challenge before even stepping into the ring against Jake Paul — and the clock is ticking. In just three weeks, the former two-time heavyweight world champion must shed a staggering 20 pounds to meet an unusual weight restriction for his highly anticipated bout. And this is where things get controversial... should a heavyweight like Joshua even be forced to make such a drastic cut?
The showdown between Joshua and the YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul is set for December 19 at Miami’s Kaseya Center. Both fighters will split an incredible £140 million purse right down the middle — a figure that stunned fans and industry insiders alike. The bout will span eight rounds of three minutes each, with both men wearing 10-ounce gloves. Yet the real twist lies in the contract clause: a 245-pound weight limit, despite the fight being classified as a heavyweight contest.
For context, Joshua has weighed more than 250 pounds in each of his last five fights, making this cut far from routine. His promoter, Eddie Hearn, openly admitted that "AJ" currently weighs around 265 pounds — meaning he needs to drop nearly 20 pounds in a matter of weeks. Hearn also revealed he used some clever negotiation tactics to improve the fight terms, joking that he exaggerated Joshua’s weight to 290 pounds to gain leverage in discussions.
Speaking on BBC 5 Live, Hearn explained, “I told Nakisa [Bidarian] that AJ was nearly 290 pounds just to get better conditions. At the time, I thought, if they believe he’s that heavy, maybe they’ll back off on other demands.” Ultimately, the fight was agreed to at eight rounds instead of ten — but the weight limit remained non-negotiable. “Jake will come in around 220, and they wanted AJ to slim down,” Hearn said. “It’s not that they’re trying to cheat — they just want the matchup to feel even. But AJ has never really had to cut weight before, so this is totally new territory.”
Joshua, meanwhile, is taking a fresh approach to his preparation. In an unexpected twist, he’s teamed up with the same training team that guided Oleksandr Usyk — the man who famously outpointed Joshua in both 2021 and 2022 — to multiple world titles. This partnership hints at Joshua’s determination to evolve his boxing IQ and reframe his technique for a faster, lighter performance come fight night.
“I was invited to train with Team Usyk,” Joshua told reporters. “He’s one of the best fighters in the world, but it’s not only about him — it’s also about the incredible team behind him. Learning from their structure, discipline, and mindset has been eye-opening. It’s been tough, but really rewarding.”
His last fight — a knockout loss to Daniel Dubois at Wembley in September 2024 — forced many to question whether Joshua’s era at the top was ending. Now, with this fight against Jake Paul, many see an opportunity for redemption… while others call it a publicity stunt.
But here’s the real question: Is trimming down by 20 pounds in three weeks a smart move for a heavyweight legend? Could it enhance Joshua’s speed, or drain his power right when he needs it most? And perhaps more provocatively — should Jake Paul, still new to elite-level boxing, face such an accomplished fighter under conditions that tilt the balance?
What do you think — is this matchup fair play or a marketing gamble gone too far? Share your thoughts below; the debate is just heating up.
