Anthony Joshua has hit 243.8 lbs — his lowest in nearly a decade — ahead of blockbuster fight with Jake Paul.
Joshua is entering fight week significantly lighter than expected, signaling a major tactical shift for the former unified heavyweight champion’s showdown.
AJ confirmed his weigh-in via social media: “They must have forgot. I’m used to dealing with big weights & scales. 243.8lbs 🫡”
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Weighing under 244 lbs with over a fortnight of camp left marks a dramatic drop from the 252–255 lb range he carried in previous outings.
The reduction is part of a deliberate strategy prioritizing speed, agility, and tactical advantage over sheer size, signaling a mobility-first approach against Jake Paul.
Anthony Joshua’s Weight Cut
Promoter Eddie Hearn revealed that MVP Promotions had been told Joshua weighed more than he actually did — turning the weight cut into both a psychological and strategic tool.
Hearn said: “They said: ‘The only thing is that Jake will weigh about 220 pounds and we want AJ to come down in weight.’ He’s a heavyweight and hasn’t cut weight before. They said: ‘Look, we’re not being funny, and it’s not that we need an advantage, but we need you to have some disadvantage.’” – If you use these WBN quotes, please link back to the source: https://www.worldboxingnews.com/joshua-paul-243-8-lbs-strategy/
Joshua hasn’t been this lean since the Andy Ruiz rematch in 2019, when he weighed 237 lbs and boxed on his toes for 12 disciplined rounds. His current approach is focused on speed and agility, designed to counter Jake Paul, the cruiserweight novice whose bold “shock the world” claims have drawn widespread skepticism.
We understands that shedding extra pounds is a deliberate tactic to disrupt Paul’s confidence, sharpen Joshua’s reactions, and prevent him from being drawn into risky single-shot exchanges that favor smaller, explosive punchers.
Fight-week scrutiny will peak at the public weigh-in on December 18, where the final number will reveal whether Joshua is undergoing a tactical reinvention or fine-tuning for a showcase.
Harvey vs. Cervantes Opens Netflix Main Card
Most Valuable Promotions confirmed rising US Olympian Jahmal Harvey (1-0, 1 KO) will open the main card against unbeaten Kevin Cervantes (5-0, 5 KOs) in a 130-lb super featherweight clash. Harvey’s destructive debut has placed him among America’s hottest prospects, and MVP is positioning him for a breakout moment on a global stage.
Fight Week Schedule
Tuesday, Dec. 16 – Open Workouts + Showcase Bouts
LIV at Fontainebleau Miami Beach hosts open workouts plus three sanctioned fights:
• Luan Medeiros vs. Hugo Macias (135 lbs)
• Shannon Courtenay vs. Jessica Radtke Maltez (118 lbs)
• Jocelyn Camarillo vs. Yazmin Martinez Jimenez (108 lbs)
Wednesday, Dec. 17 – Final Press Conference
Fillmore Miami Beach, 6 p.m. ET.
Thursday, Dec. 18 – Public Weigh-In
Same venue, 6 p.m. ET — all eyes will shift to Joshua’s number.
Friday, Dec. 19 – Fight Night
Prelims on MVP’s YouTube; main card live worldwide only on Netflix.
Joshua’s lean frame signals complete focus — a disciplined approach to a matchup that continues to generate raised eyebrows across the boxing world.
With the psychological and tactical stakes of this weight cut now public, his weight story may well define how this fight is remembered.
