STWF Sports | MIAMI | Nov. 21, 2025 — The fight game is no stranger to spectacle, but on Friday afternoon, the visual of Anthony Joshua standing over Jake Paul may have set a new benchmark in combat-sports theatrics. The two fighters came face-to-face for the first time at the launch press conference for their December 19 Netflix blockbuster, and the size difference alone sent shockwaves across the boxing world.
Joshua (28–4), a former two-time unified heavyweight champion, will meet Paul (12–1) in an eight-round professional bout at the Kaseya Center in Miami. For Paul, who built his following on YouTube before reinventing himself as a boxer, this event marks only his second fight as a heavyweight — and the visual comparison was damning.
A Staggering Size Gap on Full Display
Even with platform shoes on, Paul, listed at 6’1″, looked like a cruiserweight thrown into the deep end. Joshua, standing 6’6″ and weighing roughly 250 pounds, dwarfed him in every measurable category. The height, the reach — a six-inch difference — and the sheer mass made the staredown almost uncomfortable to watch.
At one point, Paul found himself unintentionally eye-level with Joshua’s chest before lifting his gaze upward to meet the Brit’s. It was the kind of surreal moment that instantly became social-media fodder.
Fans Express Concern: “Jake Is Cooked”
The internet reacted swiftly and brutally.
“It’s over for him. Jake is screwed,” one fan posted.
Another added: “I’m scared for Jake lowkey.”
A third wrote: “Yeah, Jake is cooked.”
And another warned: “Joshua is going to give him serious damage.”
The avalanche of concern, memes, and hot takes highlighted the dangerous gamble Paul is taking. His only prior heavyweight outing came last year against a 58-year-old Mike Tyson — more spectacle than sporting contest. Joshua, even past his peak, is something entirely different.
Joshua Shrugs Off the Critics
Some observers have questioned why Joshua, at this stage of his career, would risk his reputation by stepping into the ring with a novice. Many believe the Brit should be focusing on his road back to title contention, not a sideshow with a YouTuber.
Joshua, however, dismissed the criticism with ease.
“I only address people who are for me, not against me,” Joshua said. “I don’t focus on negativity. Why would I believe in comments that are against me? I don’t even care about those people, they don’t come into my psyche.”
Though he suffered a devastating knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in September 2024, Joshua remains a formidable presence — physically and technically — in the heavyweight landscape.
Paul Remains Confident: “I’m a Tricky Knockout Artist”
Despite the overwhelming physical disadvantage and public skepticism, Paul appeared calm and emboldened during the press event. He insisted that power and precision — not size — are the true equalizers in boxing.
“I just know I have the power and timing. It’s the shots you don’t see coming that knock you out,” Paul said. “I’m a tricky knockout artist, which people don’t give me credit for. I do have the timing, the speed, the tricks up my sleeve.”
For a fighter who has built his career on proving doubters wrong, Paul insists this is just another mountain he intends to climb.
What’s Next? Fury on Paul’s Radar
Paul went a step further, claiming that a victory over Joshua would set up a massive showdown with none other than Tyson Fury.
“If I beat Joshua, I want Tyson Fury next,” Paul declared.
That statement only added fuel to an already outrageous narrative.
Final Thoughts: A Spectacle With Real Consequences
While the December 19 showdown will undoubtedly generate massive viewership and global attention, the physical mismatch between Joshua and Paul raises real competitive questions. One man is a lifelong heavyweight with championship pedigree. The other is a cruiserweight influencer daring to leap into the deepest end of the pool.
Whether this proves to be a bold stroke or a disastrous miscalculation, one thing is clear:
The combat sports world will be watching — closely.
