ANTHONY JOSHUA will be hit with a weight restriction for the first time in his career against Jake Paul.
The two-time unified world champion and YouTuber-turned-boxer have announced a shock
Anthony Joshua cannot weigh more than 245lb against Jake PaulCredit: Getty
Jake Paul has campaigned largely at cruiserweightCredit: Getty
but Paul’s promotional partner Nakisa Bidarian revealed AJ cannot weigh any more than 245lb.
That makes it the first time has ever had to weigh a certain amount for a bout in his career.
Joshua, 36, was 252lb (18st) in his last fight in September 2024 when he was knocked out by Daniel Dubois, 28.
In contrast, four of Paul’s last five bouts have been in the 14st 4lb cruiserweight division of 200lb.
That is FOUR STONE lighter than Joshua’s natural weight.
Paul, 28, has had one fight at heavyweight in November when Mike Tyson, 58, controversially made a comeback aged 58,
He won over eight laboured rounds – over shorter two-minute sessions – at 16st 2lb.
Paul will take on Joshua over eight rounds of three-minutes in 10oz gloves under professional boxing rules.
Anthony Joshua fighting weight
Hrvoje Kisicek, Nov 2013: 230lb
Dillian Whyte, Dec 2015: 245lb
Wladimir Klitschko, Apr 2017: 240.2 lb
Carlos Takam, Oct 2017: 254lb
Joseph Parker, Mar 2018: 242.2lb
Alexander Povetkin, Sep 2018: 247.2lb
Andy Ruiz Jr I, Jun 2019: 247.8lb
Andy Ruiz Jr II, Dec 2019: 237.0lb
Kubrat Pulev, Dec 2020: 240.8lb
Oleksandr Usyk I, Sep 2021: 240lb
Oleksandr Usyk II, Aug 2022: 244.5lb
Jermaine Franklin, Apr 2023: 255.4lb
Robert Helenius, Aug 2023: 250lb
Otto Wallin, Dec 2023: 251.4lb
Francis Ngannou, March 2024: 252.4lb
Daniel Dubois, Sep 2024: 252.5lb
He said: “This isn’t an AI simulation. This is Judgment Day. A professional heavyweight fight against an elite world champion in his prime.
“When I beat Anthony Joshua, every doubt disappears, and no one can deny me the opportunity to fight for a world title.
“To all my haters, this is what you wanted. To the people of the United Kingdom, I am sorry.
“On Friday, December 19, under the lights in Miami, live globally only on Netflix, the torch gets passed and Britain’s Goliath gets put to sleep.”
Joshua said: “Jake or anyone can get this work. No mercy. I took some time out and I’m coming back with a mega show. It’s a big opportunity for me.
“Whether you like it or not, I’m here to do massive numbers, have big fights and break every record whilst keeping cool, calm and collected.
“Mark my words, you’ll see a lot more fighters take these opportunities in the future. I’m about to break the internet over Jake Paul’s face.”
The size difference between the two is evidentCredit: REUTERS 
