TLDR
- Jake Paul will fight Anthony Joshua on December 19 in Miami at the Kaseya Center
- Paul imposed a 245-pound weight limit on Joshua for weigh-ins with no rehydration clause
- Joe Rogan believes the weight limit will backfire and make Joshua more dangerous
- Rogan called the fight “one of the craziest propositions of all time” on his podcast
- Multiple combat sports figures including Dana White predict a violent loss for Paul
Jake Paul will face former two-time heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua on December 19 at Miami’s Kaseya Center. The fight represents a major step up in competition for the YouTuber-turned-boxer.
The bout was arranged after Paul’s scheduled fight with Gervonta Davis was canceled in early November. Both Paul and Netflix needed a replacement opponent quickly.
Joshua accepted the challenge, creating what many observers call a complete mismatch. The British fighter is a former Olympic gold medalist with knockout power that has made him one of boxing’s most feared heavyweights.
Paul negotiated a weight limit of 245 pounds for Joshua at the day-before weigh-in. However, there is no rehydration clause in the contract.
UFC commentator Joe Rogan discussed the weight limit on a recent episode of his podcast. He believes Paul made a strategic error with this condition.
The Weight Limit Concern
Rogan stated that the weight restriction will force Joshua to enter the fight in better shape. “There’s not a chance that Anthony Joshua is not going to just lose the weight beforehand,” Rogan explained on his show.
The podcast host predicted Joshua will do extra cardio to make weight. This training approach could make him even more dangerous on fight night.
“He’s gonna be terrifying,” Rogan said about Joshua’s expected condition. The fighter can rehydrate after weigh-ins since no clause prevents it.
Rogan called the matchup “one of the craziest propositions of all time.” He referenced Paul’s recent sparring-like match with 58-year-old Mike Tyson on Netflix.
The UFC commentator warned Paul about Joshua’s power directly. “That right hand, if it hits you, you are f—-,” Rogan stated.
Predictions From Combat Sports Figures
Rogan described Joshua as having “one-punch nuclear power.” He noted the British fighter’s credentials as an Olympic gold medalist and specialist knockout artist.
UFC president Dana White shared similar concerns about the fight. White called it a “bad idea” and predicted fans would finally see what they’ve been waiting for.
Former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury picked Jake Paul to win by knockout. However, former fighter David Haye warned the fight could be Paul’s “last day on Earth” if Joshua traps him on the ropes.
The fight card will include eight total bouts. One featured match pits MMA veterans Anderson Silva against Tyron Woodley.
The professional heavyweight contest will consist of eight three-minute rounds with 10-ounce gloves. Joshua must weigh 245 pounds or less at the official weigh-in.
