Matchroom CEO Frank Smith rebuts claims of any potential fixing in the upcoming fight between Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua. Recent reports indicated a looming showdown between Joshua and Paul this Christmas, with the heavyweight clash officially set for December 19 in Miami. The bout, spanning eight three-minute rounds with both fighters in 10oz gloves, will impact their professional records.
Paul, amidst previous fixing accusations since his 2020 debut, has faced criticism from the boxing community regarding the legitimacy of the fight with Joshua. Smith, a key figure in Eddie Hearn’s team, dismissed these concerns, emphasizing it as a standard professional bout during an appearance on the Ariel Helwani Show.
The anticipated encounter between Joshua and Paul will be available for live streaming on Netflix, accessible for free through Sky’s £15 Essential TV bundle. Smith clarified that Joshua’s intent is not for an exhibition but to secure a knockout victory over Paul on December 19.
Paul’s pursuit of a match with Joshua, which initially saw discussions for a 2026 fight, was reignited after a series of events led to Joshua accepting the challenge. Despite the rapid progression of negotiations, Smith expressed reservations about the matchup, questioning the decision to face a fighter of Joshua’s caliber. The fight is scheduled to take place in Miami just days before Christmas and is expected to air on Netflix, with the exact timing subject to change based on the undercard duration.