Joshua aims to silence critics and Jake Paul hype in miami showdown today

Anthony Joshua will step back into the ring on Friday night in one of boxing’s most polarising match-ups, facing YouTuber-turned-fighter Jake Paul in an eight-round heavyweight bout in Miami, Sport360NG reports.

The British-Nigerian former world champion is fighting for the first time since his fifth-round knockout defeat by Daniel Dubois last September, while Paul enters his 14th professional contest buoyed by a points victory over former world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in June.

Speaking at the final press conference on Wednesday, Paul billed the contest as a potential landmark moment, predicting what he described as the “biggest upset in the history of sports” and insisting his impact on boxing over the past decade outweighs that of any current star.

Joshua, 36, framed the fight as more than a personal comeback, suggesting he feels a responsibility to defend the sport’s traditional values. He acknowledged criticism from boxing purists over the bout but said he understands the expectation for him to bring Paul’s rise to an end.

The contest will take place at the Kaseya Centre and will be streamed live on Netflix. A larger-than-usual 22-by-22-foot ring has been approved, with Paul hoping the extra space will allow him to use movement to neutralise Joshua’s power.

At their first face-off in Miami, Joshua’s physical advantage was evident, with the former champion standing several inches taller than Paul. The Briton made clear he intends to impose himself decisively, while Paul responded by portraying himself as prepared to endure whatever is required to win, even setting his sights on a future clash with Tyson Fury.

The bout has divided opinion across the boxing world. Former cruiserweight and heavyweight world champion David Haye has tipped a shock Paul victory, describing it as a potential historic upset. In contrast, rising British heavyweight Moses Itauma, who has sparred with Joshua, warned Paul he is facing a dangerous challenge and predicted a decisive stoppage.

Promoter Frank Warren has confirmed that Fury has expressed interest in returning from retirement next summer for a long-anticipated all-British showdown with Joshua. However, Warren cautioned that those plans would be derailed if Joshua were to lose in Miami.

Joshua admitted the defeat to Dubois forced him to reassess his career path, but said the opportunity to face Paul was one he could not ignore, as he looks to reset and reassert himself on boxing’s biggest stage.