Summary

  1. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 19:18 GMT

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

    We all sit on the sofa watching various sports saying how 'rubbish' some of the players are. Dec 19 is the night we see how good the professionals really are compared to the rest of us wannabes. Next, can we see Paul try to beat Bolt in a 100m race?

    Jonny

    Ngannou needed oxygen for several minutes after AJ caught him, and Jake is yet to take a big punch. This is a really stupid way to do it.

    Otis, York

  2. Postpublished at 19:16 GMT

    As I said earlier, the vote at the top of this page is hugely in favour of Anthony Joshua - 90% - but I thought it would be even more of a landslide.

    Come on, those of you who are backing Paul need to win me over with a decent argument.

  3. Who has Joshua faced?published at 19:14 GMT

    Anthony Joshua with the heavyweight world titles wrapped around his torsoImage source, Getty Images

    After winning gold at the 2012 Olympics, Anthony Joshua turned professional the following year.

    Joshua quickly rose through the ranks, winning his first 15 fights inside the distance, before beating Charles Martin for the WBC heavyweight title in 2016.

    He earned a statement stoppage win against Wladimir Klitschko in 2017 to unify.

    Andy Ruiz handed Joshua his first loss after 23 fights, but the Briton avenged that loss in an immediate rematch.

    Joshua has tasted defeat a further three times - twice to Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois.

    The 36-year-old has previous of being involved in crossover matches and stopped former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou inside two rounds.

  4. Postpublished at 19:12 GMT

    Don't worry Roy... the first Ashes Test gets back under way in a few hours, there's a load of football on this weekend and even some Formula One in Las Vegas.

    Plenty for you to enjoy!

  5. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 19:10 GMT

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

    Can we have a third button on the Joshua v Jake Paul "fight"? Who cares would be my choice.

    Roy B, Orpington

  6. Paul has 'great shot'published at 19:09 GMT

    Jake Paul's promoter Nakisa Bidarian says his fighter has a 'great shot' at beating Anthony Joshua.

    What are your thoughts?

    Does Paul actually stand a chance?

  7. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 19:06 GMT

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

    If there’s one positive consequence of this farcical fight, it’s that AJ will absolutely win easily and put to bed Jake Paul’s pretensions of being an actual professional boxer. Not so easy when your opponent isn’t nearing the national retirement age!

    Jordi, Cardiff

  8. Postpublished at 19:04 GMT

    Appreciate you getting in touch, Laz. That is a big call but the thumbs down suggest you're massively against the grain.

    How does Jake Paul win?

  9. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 19:02 GMT

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

    Well Bobbie you asked us to get in touch so here goes... We're about to see the most overrated boxer in history get embarrassed by a YouTuber, if that doesn't prove that Joshua is and has always been a fraud, nothing will.

    Laz, Yorkshire

  10. Paul v Joshua fight purses - how much is AJ getting?published at 19:00 GMT

    Anthony Joshua is wearing sunglasses and sitting next to Eddie HearnImage source, Getty Images

    Getting official figures of how much a fighter earns for a bout is always tricky business but Eddie Hearn said Anthony Joshua is set for a "career-high payday".

    Reports suggest, external there could be a pot of £150m with Joshua potentially earning £36.9m for this eight-round contest.

    Jake Paul was paid a reported £31m to face Mike Tyson last year, with the retired 59-year-old said to have taken home a purse around half of that.

  11. Who has Paul fought?published at 18:55 GMT

    Tommy Fury lands a punch on Jake PaulImage source, Getty Images

    Jake Paul made his professional boxing debut in January 2020, beating fellow YouTuber Ali Al-Fakhri - better known as AnEsonGib.

    He has gone on to register 12 wins in 13 matches, losing only to Tommy Fury.

    The 28-year-old has faced criticism for cherry-picking his opponents, facing several retired mixed martial artists who were well beyond their prime.

    Paul has seven knockout wins on his record, stopping former UFC champion Tyron Woodley in that fashion.

    In November 2024, Paul beat retired undisputed heavyweight champion Mike Tyson and his most recent bout ended in a points win over retired three-weight world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

  12. Postpublished at 18:52 GMT

    Time for the face-off.

    Anthony Joshua towers over Jake Paul.

    There are a few security guards waiting to spring into action but it passes off without any incident.

    We'll bring you images shortly but you can rewatch in the live video at the top of this page.

  13. Paul v Joshua - what are the fight rules?published at 18:51 GMT

    Anthony Joshua is shirtless and standing on scalesImage source, Getty Images

    As soon as this fight was announced, questions were raised about if there would be any rule changes or whether it would be an exhibition.

    Matchroom's Eddie Hearn, who promotes Anthony Joshua, said the Briton was already preparing for an eight-round comeback fight.

    Joshua's bout with Jake Paul is also going to take place over eight three-minute rounds and they will wear standard 10oz gloves.

    But there is a stipulation when it comes to weight.

    Joshua cannot weigh more than 17st 7lbs. His previous three fights he has been around 17st 12lb.

  14. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 18:51 GMT

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

    The vote running at the top of this page is overwhelmingly in favour of Anthony Joshua - no major surprise.

    I'd like to hear your thoughts on this fight, though.

    You can get in touch using the details above.

  15. What are the weight rules for Paul v Joshua?published at 18:50 GMT

    Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul are shirtless and standing on scalesImage source, Getty Images

    Jake Paul weighed a career-heavy 227lb (16st and 3lb) when he fought Mike Tyson in November 2024.

    The American clearly had concerns about giving up so much weight to Anthony Joshua, but Eddie Hearn, speaking on the 5 Live Boxing podcast, says he misled Paul's team to ensure the two-time heavyweight champion didn't have to cut too much.

    "I spoke to AJ and he was sitting at 265lb or something like that," Hearn said.

    "I think I told [Paul's promoter] Nakisa Bidarian he was 290lb or something like that.

    "Originally Nakisa said 240lb, which is very tight for AJ at this stage and we agreed at 245lb and that was really the only stipulation."

  16. Postpublished at 18:49 GMT

    Finally the two fighters are asked for official predictions. Anthony Joshua refuses to bite but Jake Paul says he will get the "knockout in round four or five".

  17. Postpublished at 18:48 GMT

    Anthony Joshua on what keeps him motivated:

    "It's the grit. I want to be up as much as people want to see me down. I'm hungry, devoted and dedicated.

    "I've been drilled in the camp of the three-time undisputed champion Usyk.

    "I need to break Jake's delusion."

    Anthony Joshua speaking into a microphoneImage source, Getty Images
  18. 'Training with champions'published at 18:47 GMT

    Both fighters are asked what their strengths are:

    Anthony Joshua: "I'm very durable, I'll come forward, impose myself and land heavy punches. I'll expose him to tricks in boxing that I don't think he's been exposed to yet."

    Jake Paul: "I'm quick, fast, great footwork, great chin, take shots, lion-hearted, sneaky knockout punches and great work to the body. He says I haven't seen the tricks but I'm training with champions."

  19. Postpublished at 18:47 GMT

    Anthony Joshua is asked if it's classed as a win if he just beats him or if he needs to knock Jake Paul out:

    "Are you asking for me? Or are you asking for you?

    "No. I need to knock him out."

  20. Postpublished at 18:46 GMT

    More from Jake Paul:

    "I'm here to be a beacon for kids and be an inspiration. I want to show where hard work and discipline can take you.

    "I want to be a disruptor."

    Jake Paul speaking into a microphoneImage source, Getty Images