Matchroom CEO Frank Smith has refuted claims that the upcoming fight between Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua will be fixed.
Reports emerged last week about a potential bout between Joshua and Paul set for Christmas. The heavyweight clash was officially announced on Monday to take place on December 19 in Miami, consisting of eight three-minute rounds with both fighters using 10oz gloves.
Furthermore, the fight’s outcome will be reflected in their professional records. Despite accusations of fight-fixing since his debut in 2020, Paul has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The boxing community has criticized the match between the 28-year-old and Joshua, with many alleging it will be ‘rigged.’
In response to these concerns, Eddie Hearn’s associate, Smith, downplayed the speculations just ahead of the anticipated showdown. He emphasized that it is a standard eight-round professional fight, dismissing the notion of any prearranged outcome.
Joshua and Paul are gearing up for their heavyweight showdown in Miami on December 19, set to be streamed live on Netflix. Fans can access the fight for free through Sky’s £15 Essential TV package, which is being promoted as the ‘lowest ever price’ for Sky TV.
Regarding the competitiveness of the match, Smith assured that Joshua is not entering the ring to prolong the fight but to secure a knockout victory against Paul. The clash was originally proposed by Paul earlier this year, with discussions heating up after his recent victory over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Plans to fight Gervonta Davis were scrapped due to legal issues, leading to Joshua stepping in to accept the challenge.
Smith revealed that negotiations accelerated swiftly, culminating in the official announcement within a week of finalizing the deal. While recognizing the riskiness of the matchup for Paul, Smith acknowledged Joshua’s superior standing in the boxing world.
The highly-anticipated fight between Joshua and Paul is scheduled to take place in Miami on December 19, just days before Christmas. The event is expected to commence around 11pm local time, catering to the American audience and subject to potential time adjustments based on the undercard’s duration. Live coverage of the event will be available on Netflix.
