Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua Tips, Predictions & Latest Betting Odds
Jake Paul steps into the ring on Friday 19th December for what is, without question, the most demanding assignment of his boxing career, as he takes on former unified heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua.
Billed as ‘Judgement Day’ this heavyweight contest marks a curious end to the boxing year, in one of the least expected contests of 2025.
The YouTuber-turned-prizefighter has steadily increased the level of his opposition, but this represents a leap several rungs up the ladder — one that many believe may simply be too far.
The betting reflects that sentiment. Joshua is a heavy favourite across the board, with betting sites strongly leaning towards a stoppage victory for the former champion.
Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua Tips
The gulf in experience, size and proven elite-level ability is difficult to ignore, particularly given Paul’s limited exposure to high-level professional boxing and his lack of time competing anywhere near heavyweight.
Inside the ropes, the advantages lie overwhelmingly with Joshua. He holds clear edges in strength, speed, ring IQ and technical polish, and unlike Paul, he has spent years operating at the very top of the sport. The heavyweight division, in particular, is unforgiving territory for those lacking experience, and Paul has never competed against a puncher of Joshua’s calibre.
Joshua’s second-round knockout of Francis Ngannou in March 2024 served as a stark reminder of his destructive power, adding to an explosive highlight reel.
But boxing is a funny old sport.
It’s a cash-grab for Joshua who has admitted he is coming to the end of his career, potentially ending it with a couple of long-awaited Tyson Fury fights in 2026.
Millions of eyes will tune into Netflix worldwide on Friday night to witness the flattening of Jake Paul or one of the biggest upsets the sport has ever seen.
But which way will it go? Here's three boxing tips for the fight.
Tip 1: Anthony Joshua to beat Jake Paul in Round 1 at 18/5 with bet365
This shouldn’t feel a controversial pick, but somehow it is.
18/5 for Joshua to get Paul out of there within the first three minutes feels like a no-brainer, but perhaps we aren’t giving Paul’s trickery enough credit.
Joshua’s best knockout wins have come against guys that are willing to trade, so if Paul goes into a ball and dances at range then we might have to go into rounds two, three and four.
But if AJ lands clean in the opening exchanges then it should be an early night for the “Problem Child”.
Tip 2: Either Fighter To Be Deducted A Point at 5/1 with Paddy Power
Paul is unpredictable and still an enigma in the sport.
If things are going his way, he may revert to type and try and pull a few stunts on Joshua to delay his defeat.
We’re expecting the referee to be strict in this one considering it is a sanctioned heavyweight contest, so 5/1 for either fighter to be deducted a point looks good as a side bet.
Tip 3: A Knockdown in Each of Rounds 1 and 5 at 33/1 with Paddy Power
Paul has balls, but has he got a chin?
If he is knocked down in the opening round, Joshua may decide to toy with him and drag the bout into the latter stages.
It feels like a big punt, but 33/1 could be worth a look if the middle rounds race by without much action.
When is Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua?
Here at Free Bets we want to offer more than just tips and odds, so here's all the other information you need ahead of fight night.
Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua is on Friday 19th December.
The fight will take place in Miami, Florida, inside the Keseya Center. Ring walks are expected to be around 10 E.T, meaning an early 3am start for UK viewers who want to watch live.
How to watch Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua?
Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua is live worldwide on Netflix, so as long as you've got a Netflix account, you can watch this bout unfold.
How did we get here?
We’re not really sure!
Jake Paul was due to fight Gervonta “Tank” Davis in November, before the lightweight had yet another brush with the law and was forced to withdraw from the bout.
This left Paul without an opponent and a missed opportunity for Netflix to showcase boxing at the end of 2025.
Then, a call to Anthony Joshua’s team changed everything.
The British heavyweight was planning a run-out before the end of the year in a low-stakes contest (probably in Saudi Arabia) and when he was offered the chance to fight Paul for a substantial amount of money, the answer was easy…
Joshua has received criticism for accepting this fight, but assuming he gets the job done, it’s a win/win scenario going into what could be a career-defining 2026.
Jake Paul (12-1, 7 KOs)
Since turning professional in 2020, Jake Paul has demanded to be recognised as a legitimate boxer.
He has fought Youtubers, former NBA players, retired MMA fighters, Mike Tyson (!) and most recently, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., slowly increasing the calibre of his opposition, but his latest opponent, Anthony Joshua, is a massive leap.
The 28-year-old is a massive draw — his social media numbers are off the scale in comparison to most prizefighters — and with Netflix backing his promotional company MVP, Paul doesn’t look to be disappearing anytime soon.
He is improving as a fighter — that can’t be denied — but there is a huge risk to his career and health on Friday night as he goes in with a hard-hitting, former Olympic gold medalist heavyweight.
Even if Paul loses in quick fashion, it’s hard to see him not come out of this fight with his stock raised.
Perhaps, this is all just a painful publicity stunt?
Anthony Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs)
At 36, Anthony Joshua’s career is winding down.
The two-time unified heavyweight world champion has excelled since turning pro in 2013, getting wins over the likes of Dillian Whyte, Wladimir Klitschko, Andy Ruiz, Joseph Parker, Kubrat Pulev and Francis Ngannou in a memorable career.
There have been bumps along the road.
He lost on his only previous visit to the United States against Andy Ruiz in 2019, twice to Oleksandr Usyk and at the heavy hands of Daniel Dubois last September.
But Joshua is ready to roll the dice a final time. A clinical win over Paul will heighten his profile in the US ahead of a massive 2026 in which Tyson Fury awaits.
