STWF Sports | Nov. 21, 2025 – Jake Paul insists he never planned to sit idle after the collapse of his exhibition bout with Gervonta Davis — and now he’s revealed just how wide he cast his net before securing the most ambitious matchup of his career. According to the YouTuber-turned-contender, Anthony Joshua wasn’t the only superstar on the radar.

Speaking at Friday’s launch press conference in Miami, Paul detailed how his team approached a series of high-profile names following the fallout with Davis. Among them: Ryan Garcia, Tommy Fury, Terence Crawford, and Joshua himself.

Only two fighters, Paul says, were willing to sign on the dotted line — but only one was ready for December 2025.

Paul: “Garcia was scared. Fury was scared.”

“Joshua was always in the plans after Gervonta,” Paul said. “But we started talking to a bunch of different camps.”

What came next was vintage Paul bravado.

“Tommy Fury was scared, as per usual. He wanted more time. Ryan Garcia was scared. Terence Crawford said yes, but he wanted to do it later next year.”

And then came the clincher.

“I was like, ‘Let’s get a fight in right now.’ Anthony Joshua said yes, and he was ready in December. Let’s run it.”

Paul’s comments add new context to what is already one of the most polarizing matchups in recent combat-sports history. Garcia and Fury reportedly declined. Crawford — arguably the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet — expressed interest, but only on a 2026 timeline. Joshua, battered but unbroken after his knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in September 2024, accepted immediately.

A Heavyweight Clash With Real Stakes

The December 19 headliner at Miami’s Kaseya Center will be a full professional heavyweight bout, streamed globally on Netflix. And while Paul (12–1) is making only his second appearance above cruiserweight, the rules are all standard.

Rounds: 8 (3 minutes each)
Gloves: 10 oz
Result: Official, counts toward both fighters’ records

Because Paul is jumping up from 200 lbs, Joshua’s team agreed to a 245-lb cap — a fairly manageable limit for the former champion, who typically weighs between 240 and 255.

For Paul, this is a leap into the deep end of the heavyweight pool. For Joshua, it’s an opportunity to rebuild his brand after a turbulent stretch defined by inconsistency and high-profile losses.

A Stacked Undercard With Championship Gold

Despite Joshua-Paul being a spectacle matchup, the undercard carries serious competitive legitimacy.

Co-Main Event:

• Alycia Baumgardner vs. Leila Beaudoin — WBA, IBF & WBO Super Featherweight Titles
  Baumgardner seeks to assert dominance in her weight class against a hungry Top-3 contender.

Undisputed Bantamweight Title:

• Cherneka Johnson vs. Amanda Galle
  Johnson puts all the belts on the line in a high-stakes unification bout.

WBC Minimumweight Title:

• Yokasta Valle vs. Yadira Bustillos
  Valle continues her reign as one of the most active world champions in the sport.

Feature Fight:

• Anderson Silva vs. Tyron Woodley
  Two former UFC champions — and both former Jake Paul opponents — return to the boxing ring for another chapter in their rivalry.

Final Thoughts: From Chaos to Mega-Event

The collapse of Paul vs. Davis could have derailed Paul’s momentum. Instead, it accelerated his push toward the biggest test of his career. Joshua accepted the fight without hesitation, Crawford expressed genuine interest, and both Fury and Garcia reportedly declined — adding fuel to Paul’s ongoing narrative that established stars don’t want the smoke.

Now, with a heavyweight showdown locked in and three world-title fights supporting it, the December 19 event is shaping up to be one of the most watched combat-sports nights of the year.

Whether Paul shocks the world or Joshua delivers a reality check, one thing is certain:

This fight wasn’t Plan B — it was Paul’s boldest move yet.