On the eve of Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua, promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed the size of the ring that will be used for Friday’s fight – and it has become a major talking point.
There are certain stipulations in place as natural cruiserweight Paul moves up to heavyweight. For the first time in his career, Joshua has a strict contracted weight limit ahead of the eight-round bout.
The 36-year-old, who weighed just over 252lbs for his fight against Daniel Dubois last year, cannot weigh more than 245lbs, although there is no restriction on how much weight he can put on after the official weigh-in.
As well as AJ’s weight, Eddie Hearn was recently asked about the specific rules for this weekend’s clash.
“Same as any professional fight, you know, and we wouldn’t do anything different, which is eight rounds, 10 ounce gloves, eight three minute rounds,” Hearn told Forbes. “The weight is 245 pounds, but that’s just because Jake’s coming up from cruiserweight.”
Joshua’s team had ‘no interest’ in anything other than legitimate professional boxing rules, according to Hearn.
Eddie Hearn confirms ring size for Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua
With two days until fight night, Hearn has confirmed to IFL TV that the ring size for Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua will be 22×22 feet, which is bigger than the standard size for professional bouts, which is 20×20 feet.
Here’s how fans on social media reacted to the news.
One said: “More space for Jake Paul to run away into. AJ with 10oz gloves he better move quick,” while a second commented: “Yeah so Jake Paul can run away around the ring and try avoid Joshua’s right hand.”
A third wrote: “I doubt a 21% bigger ring is going to make that much of a difference. It might let Jake run around a bit more freely but the issue is, for Jake to be in range, he has to also be in range for AJ. He’s screwed either way.”
A fourth said: “Plenty of space for Jake Paul to hide,” and a fifth added: “There will be a lot of running.”
The points victory suggested Haney had put his previous two outings — against Ryan Garcia and Arnold Barboza — firmly behind him, and his father wasted little time in calling out one of the sport’s biggest names.
In a video with Fight Hub TV, Bill Haney had a message for Gervonta Davis and his team, offering ‘Tank’ the chance to face his son for his new WBO welterweight title next year.
“Coach Calvin [Ford], Coach [Ellis], Team Tank Davis, I got some good news and I got some bad news. The good news is Devin bought me another Mercedes. Another one. The bad news is the Grinch didn’t buy you guys one, but ‘Deebo’ is looking for him and he’s on the list. So let’s see if in 2026 you can’t influence your man to be more like [Devin].”
Davis currently holds the WBA lightweight title, but a move 12lbs north to 147 to face Haney would not necessarily be considered a stretch as “Tank” had been set to challenge cruiserweight crossover star Jake Paul last month month before the bout was cancelled amid serious allegations made against Davis.
However, Haney doesn’t seem to be on Davis’ radar as he recently announced a rematch with Isaac Cruz is his preferred option.
Jake Paul hits back at Deontay Wilder over claims that Anthony Joshua fight is ‘scripted’
Jake Paul is threatening legal action for Deontay Wilder after he claimed this Friday’s super-fight could be somehow ‘scripted’.
Baseless claims around Paul’s bouts being fixed in some way tend to circulate for every fight. But no event has been affected more so than this weekend on Netflix when he faces Anthony Joshua at the Kaseya Center in Miami.
There is a belief that Paul and Joshua is such a mismatch that anything other than a quick knockout for the Brit means the fix is in. However, this would be a federal crime, and Paul has hired top legal aid to help battle defamatory claims that he is engaged in rigged boxing matches.
Jake Paul slams Deontay Wilder over claims his fight with Anthony Joshua is rigged
Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua came head-to-head this evening for the first time on fight week as they completed their final press conference. The size difference is still as clear as ever, but the American is now beginning to drop his respectful tone and start going at his opponent and others.
One man who drew his ire was Deontay Wilder, who during his visit to Dubai last week told Bloody Elbow and others that he fears the fix may be in for this Friday’s show. There is no basis for this claim, and Paul has frequently made explicit and prolonged denials.
Asked what answer he gives to those who claim the bout is rigged, he replied: “I give them a cease and desist letter through their door. Then the lawsuit is coming right after because these people will not stop lying.
“I honestly take it as a compliment but people need to shut the f— up. As for Deontay Wilder, he’s been hit a lot by Tyson Fury so he’s clearly not the smartest guy. There’s nothing in the contract, AJ can attest to it that we’re going to war. At the end of the day, that’s what all of my fights have been like.”
Joshua also briefly replied to the accusation, insisting that the bout is fully legitimate and that there is “nothing in the contract” stopping him obliterating Paul.
Terence Crawford Makes Shock Decision On Boxing Future: “Nothing Left To Prove”
Terence Crawford has surprised the boxing world with a major update on his career.
Crawford is already regarded as one of the best boxers of recent times, further cementing his legacy when he stepped up two divisions and defeated Canelo Alvarez in September to become the undisputed super-middleweight world champion.
It saw ‘Bud’ become the first male fighter in history to be undisputed in three separate divisions, whilst he has also earned world honours at 135lbs and 154lbs.
The likely next move for Crawford appeared to be a move to middleweight in a bid to become a six-division world champion, but that will no longer be happening after he made a shock and abrupt announcement.
“Every fighter knows this moment will come. We just never know when. I spent my whole life chasing something. Not belts, not money, not headlines, but that feeling, the one you get when the world doubts you but you keep showing up and you keep proving everyone wrong.
“This sport gave me everything, I fought for my family, I fought for my city, I fought for the kid I used to be, the one that had nothing but a dream and a pair of gloves, and I did it all my way. I gave this sport every breath I have, every spar, every triumph, every ounce of my heart. I’ve made peace with what’s next. Now, it’s time. Thank you.
“I’m stepping away from competition. Not because I’m done fighting, but because I’ve won a different kind of battle. The one where you walk away on your own terms. This isn’t goodbye, it’s just the end of one fight, and the beginning of another.”
Crawford remarkable career began way back in 2008, and the 38-year-old now hangs up the gloves with a perfect record of 42-0.
Distribution Options Under Discussion
A spokesperson for Indistry, the company leading promotion for the rematch, told WBN:
“Discussions are currently ongoing with several distribution partners, including Netflix, which is a strong option. However, Indistry is also looking at other distribution partners that align with our vision for delivering a distinctly different, fan-forward experience around boxing.”
Venue Not Yet Confirmed
The official venue for the rematch has not been announced. Indistry clarified:
“Cannot confirm the venue yet. Given the scale of the event, we’re evaluating spaces that can support the broader experience we’re building around the fight, in addition to hosting the bout itself. We’ll announce the venue once it has been selected.”
Pacquiao’s Multi-Fight Rollout
The spokesperson also confirmed plans for Manny Pacquiao’s upcoming schedule, according to WBN’s exclusive reporting:
“The immediate priority is the Mayweather rematch. Following that, Indistry will build out Manny Pacquiao’s next multi-fight lineup with a strategic rollout through 2026.”
This confirms that the rematch is the first in a sequence of events designed to maintain fan engagement throughout 2026 and beyond.
Indistry is leading the promotion to ensure the next phase of Pacquiao’s career is executed with the company’s experience in live sports and lifestyle events.
Next Steps for Fans
With the rematch still targeting a late spring timeframe, the combination of distribution discussions, venue planning, and the multi-fight rollout highlights the scale and ambition of the project.
Fans should watch for additional announcements soon, with Netflix and other platforms potentially providing access, making this rematch both a distinctive cultural event and a sporting occasion. – If you use these WBN quotes, please link back to the source: https://www.worldboxingnews.com/mayweather-pacquiao-ii-netflix-option/
Interest has peaked on a potential warm-up fight against Derek Chisora — a matchup that, if mishandled, could compromise the highly anticipated clash with Usyk.
And much like the Day of Reckoning in 2023, when a planned Wilder vs Joshua fight was derailed after ‘The Bronze Bomber’ lost to Joseph Parker, Chisora represents danger.
Wilder Eyes Chisora Bout
Speaking to talkSPORT, Wilder made clear he is open to the Chisora fight.
“Derek Chisora, you want it, you can get it,” Wilder said. “That’s for sure. That might be my warm-up fight. I’ll see what people think about that.
“We were supposed to fight years ago, and I got in some legal trouble, which meant I couldn’t travel. It was supposed to happen, and it didn’t happen, and this opportunity means it can happen.”
Chisora responded to Wilder’s comments, signaling willingness to step in:
“That is the fight number 50 right there. I showed it to you. I wasn’t meant to show it to you, but I figured I’m right here, so let’s do it.
“George Warren made this fight for December 13, and then Deontay got a phone call from the big boss, and he had to pull out.
“But I believe that deal has dropped, so it’s come back on. It will happen; whoever wants to put it on can. I believe Frank Warren will put it on.”
Warm-Up Fights Pose Risk
WBN’s previous ‘Groundhog Day’ coverage of Fury vs Joshua highlighted how warm-up bouts can create logistical and promotional complications.
With both Fury and Joshua now linked to preparatory fights, there is a precedent showing that even minor disruptions or losses in warm-up matches can imperil major showdowns.
The Day of Reckoning in 2023 serves as a cautionary tale: Wilder’s scheduled fight against Joshua fell apart after he suffered an unexpected defeat to Joseph Parker, illustrating how a single warm-up loss can obliterate months of promotional planning and fan anticipation.
Despite the implosion, nothing seems to be deterring organizers.
Promotional and Timing Challenges
As with Fury vs Joshua, promoters must balance fighter readiness, fan expectations, and broadcast commitments.
Wilder’s potential bout with Chisora is more than a training exercise — a misstep could alter timelines and contractual obligations, forcing the highly anticipated Wilder vs Usyk fight to be postponed or even canceled.
WBN has reached out to Wilder’s team to confirm whether discussions are ongoing behind the scenes, reinforcing the significance of every decision in this preparatory phase.
Next Steps
While Wilder and Chisora appear ready to move forward, WBN will continue to monitor developments closely.
Fans and industry insiders are watching carefully to see whether this warm-up strategy strengthens Wilder’s campaign for Usyk or inadvertently creates another high-profile setback reminiscent of the Fury vs Joshua complications and Wilder’s Day of Reckoning.
Anthony Joshua opens up on crushing Daniel Dubois defeat and reveals why he needed year off
Anthony Joshua took a deep look at himself after his crushing defeat to Daniel Dubois in September 2024.
The Watford powerhouse was dropped four times en route to being blown away in five rounds by Dubois.
While Joshua showed immense heart to continually get back to his feet and roll the dice, it felt like the closing of the penultimate chapter in his career.
The defeat was equally damaging and unforgiving, and it led to a lengthy 15-month hiatus from the ring.
A decent chunk of his time on the sidelines was filled by the surgery and subsequent rehabilitation of a lingering shoulder injury.
However, it was also an important period of reflection.
Anthony Joshua opens up about Daniel Dubois loss
“I always say this: For every time you win, there is a reason, for every time you lose, there is a reason,” said Joshua on his YouTube channel.
“So… why I pause is, when you lose, you tend to take a deeper look at yourself.
“Take time to figure out what went wrong.
“I had to look at the reasons why I lost, and I said to myself, ‘I think I need a bit of time.’
“I predicted this moment in… 2018? Not the loss, but the work I was taking on was a lot.
“Inside training, preparing for fights, working outside of boxing – for any man or any woman, at some stage, they probably need a bit of a reset.
“I came to that stage really in 2025, where it was that time.
“I thought, ‘You know what, I think I need a year out of the game.’”
Joshua’s break from competition comes to an end on Friday night when he locks horns with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul.
The pair are set to square off in a professional heavyweight clash that Joshua is expected to end inside two rounds.
Providing everything goes to plan, he will make a quick turnaround in February before diving into a blockbuster showdown with Tyson Fury in the summer.
According to Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, AJ has accepted his side of the agreement.
Canelo Alvarez will take a year-long break from the ring, leaving the May 2 date open for David Benavidez and Gilberto Ramírez.
The four-division champion’s focus is squarely on a potential rematch with Terence Crawford later in the year.
Reynoso Confirms Year-Long Break
Trainer Eddy Reynoso told TV Azteca, “No, in May there will be no fight. In May, we are going to rest, and we are going to resume in September.”
The veteran trainer added that Canelo recently underwent a successful operation on his left elbow and has been working on his recovery while fulfilling promotional commitments.
“That’s what he wants, the rematch with Crawford. Let’s see if it can be in September, and that’s the goal—to seek revenge and get rid of the thorn,” Reynoso said.
Benavidez vs Ramírez Now Takes Center Stage
With Canelo stepping aside, the previously announced May 2 date is now free for Benavidez and Ramírez to headline, giving both fighters time to prepare for a critical super middleweight showdown.
Canelo’s early announcement effectively cleared the calendar for the rival clash, allowing Benavidez and Ramírez to focus entirely on their bout.
Crawford Rematch and Titles in Question
When Canelo finally faces Terence Crawford, the bout may be Ring Magazine title only, depending on whether Crawford takes an interim fight at super middleweight beforehand.
Crawford has already been stripped of the WBC title and could have no other belts by September if mandatory obligations are ignored, adding uncertainty to the stakes.
His recent activity suggests he fights only once per year and is tipped to compete at middleweight, making the timing of a September clash a key factor in Canelo’s long-term plans.
Canelo’s Strategic Pause
Alvarez’s year-long hiatus is about more than rest; it gives him time to prepare for one of the most skilled fighters of his generation.
By spacing out his schedule, focusing on rehabilitation, and allowing Crawford’s path to develop, Canelo ensures that when the rematch occurs, he will be at his physical and tactical peak.
Looking Ahead
For now, Canelo’s pause reshapes the landscape. Benavidez vs. Ramírez now has full focus on May 2.
Fans and analysts wait to see how Crawford’s activity—and potential lack of titles—will impact the high-stakes rematch later in the year. We will continue to track developments as both bouts take shape.
Anthony Joshua has told Tyson Fury it is up to him whether they finally meet in the ring next year.
Joshua and Fury are being lined up for a long-anticipated fight as part of Riyadh Season in 2026, with a September date in London pencilled in. No deal has been finalised but there is growing confidence that a fight will take place and both camps are working towards making it happen in 2026.
But Joshua has said he will not be the one to hold up the fight, telling Reuters: “It’s up to Fury. I’ve signed to fight him a number of times. I don’t want to get my hopes up and be let down again.”
Fury and Joshua will take to the ring in separate fights in the early part of 2026 as part of Riyadh Season, with Joshua fighting in Saudi Arabia in February with Fury to follow shortly afterwards. The two former world heavyweight champions have never fought each other despite being close to a match-up in 2021 which never materialised in what would have been a fight for the undisputed heavyweight crown.
Fury is currently retired after he suffered successive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk while Joshua is looking to get back on track following his fifth-round knockout by former IBF champion Daniel Dubois in September 2024. Before that, though, Joshua will take on Jake Paul in an eight-round fight in Miami on Friday night.
Fury’s promoter Frank Warren, meanwhile, confirmed no agreement has been reached. “There’s been some talks going on, there’s nothing been signed yet, but Tyson’s indicated if it’s the right deal, he’ll definitely do it,” he told Sky Sports News.
“I think it’s going in the right direction and hopefully we’ll get some news pretty soon as to what’s going to happen. I do believe it will happen. AJ’s fighting, or whatever you want to call it, this week against Jake Paul and there’s talk of him fighting again early in 2026.
“Tyson’s been out for a while now. He may have a warm-up fight but if this fight happens – which I believe it will – it will be sometime in late summer. So that’s another seven months away, so he’ll certainly have a fight in between I think if he comes back.
“He has been in the gym full-time training very hard. He’s in great nick, he looks well and he’s said many times himself he would like to come back and fight again. And 2026 I believe, provided the deal’s right, I think you’ll see him back in the ring again.”
DEONTAY WILDER INTERVIEW: Former heavyweight champion on being ‘stabbed in the back’ by those closest to him, overcoming years of mental health struggles – and his plans to face Anthony Joshua in Africa
Deontay Wilder does not hesitate when asked what went wrong. Not against Joseph Parker. Not against Zhilei Zhang. Not in the fights that prompted so many to declare the former heavyweight champion finished.
‘It definitely was psychological for sure,’ Wilder told Clubhouse Boxing. ‘My performances were poor due to my mental state rather than my physical. My physical state was great. I felt great and I feel great now. I can still whack. Come on, we don’t need to question that. But, mentally, if that goes, so does the body. You don’t have an engine no more. It’s done.’
For more than a decade, Wilder’s engine seemed endless. From a late-starting Olympic bronze medalist to the most feared knockout artist in boxing, he captured the WBC heavyweight title in 2015 and defended it ten times, his right hand erasing entire game plans in a second. Even after two brutal losses to Tyson Fury ended his reign, the belief remained that Wilder’s power alone could carry him forward. What few saw was the damage accumulating far from the ring.
‘It’s been tough,’ he said. ‘It’s been tough going through the journey that I’ve had to go through over the years. And I’m talking about outside of the ring. Outside of the ring has been the major battle of my life. But I’m still here. I’m so happy at this moment in time in my life. I feel great. Everything is going good. I had to go through that rough patch to get here and it was definitely rough.’
By ‘rough patch,’ Wilder meant betrayal. ‘If you never felt it, it’s worse than a heartbreak,’ he said. ‘Especially when people are so close to you. You don’t see certain things when you’ve got so much going on. You’re doing good. You’re helping out everybody. And then you are stabbed in the back by those close to you.
‘After that, things were never the same anymore. I was uncomfortable. I didn’t know what to expect next week or next month. So it was like the fun is over. The party bus is coming to a stop, so let me get off at the next exit.’
‘The people that hurt you the most are the people that are closer to you,’ he added. ‘That’s the worst. That’s the hardest. That’s what hurts you the most. I learnt the hard way. People I never thought or suspected were the ones going behind my back.’
For a man who has always prided himself on mental toughness, the low point was unfamiliar. ‘I always felt like I could handle it. My mind is strong enough. I can get through it,’ he said. ‘But I had never experienced a mental space like it. It was the lowest I had ever been.’
By the time he entered training camps for Parker and Zhang, the weight was crushing. ‘I was still thinking about my problems outside the ring while I’m in camp,’ he said. ‘I spent the majority of camp trying to get my mind right. I kept telling myself it’s okay, but it wasn’t okay. I was just trying to convince myself and trick myself into thinking I would make it through the fights.
‘I had all these people relying on me to go in there, fight and perform. I couldn’t let them down so I compromised my mental health. I didn’t want to be there and I was already thinking about after the fights before they even took place.’
Critics questioned his legs, his reflexes, his age. Wilder says they were looking in the wrong place. ‘It wasn’t physical,’ he said. ‘When I got in the ring and the bell say ding it was just about survival. It was like a hypnosis thing. Everything that I put together in camp went out the f***ing window.’
Eventually, he reached a point he had never reached before: acceptance that he could not fix this alone. ‘I decided to get the help of two therapists,’ Wilder said. ‘And a sports psychologist. I had a lot of talks. A lot of things they put in perspective for me. Looking at situations, but looking at them in a different way.’
One lesson became central. ‘They talk about putting things on the shelf. They also explained I should be putting energy into things you can’t control. If you can’t control it, put it on the shelf. And when you put things on the shelf, it gets dust on it. You start to forget things. That’s been a healing mechanism for me.’
The work also forced Wilder to confront trauma long predating his boxing career. ‘When you go through childhood, PTSD, depending on the environment or situations you went through, as adults we still deal with that. And when you get in certain situations, it can hit you all over again.’
Being falsely accused, he says, is one of his deepest triggers. ‘That really hits me. I used to get accused of things I didn’t do, even as a child. Even as an adult. Don’t accuse me of something that I didn’t do. I’m a man. If I do something, I’ll do the time for the crime. But don’t put nothing on me that I didn’t do.’
Now 38, Wilder says time and perspective have reshaped him. ‘Age is a beautiful thing,’ he said. ‘You get wiser. The things that used to bother you, they don’t no more. Somebody come up acting crazy, you wasting your energy. I’m having fun. We laughing. We in good spirits.
‘There’s a lot of miserable people. Low-vibrational people. They want you to come down there with them. I’m not the one that’s gonna give you that. I love the space that I’m in. I’ve been through hell and back. And I ain’t going back there no more. I’m not letting nobody get me to that point again.’
And now, he says, the Bronze Bomber is ready to remind the world why he was one of the most feared heavyweights of his era and is adamant he can do so against Anthony Joshua.
‘I mean we still here. I’m not retired, he’s not retired. We’re still in the same business. It’s still one of the biggest fights in the world. People are still heavily invested in that fight with me and Joshua. It’s going to happen. Like I said, I am here, I’ve always been here and I’ve always wanted that fight.
‘I want to know who the best is and we are going to find out. I’ve been talking to some people over in Africa, I am not going to name them, but they know Joshua too and we’ve been discussing bringing that fight to Africa. I would love to do it. Look, that fight is definitely going to happen. We just need to wait and see where.’
He is also in talks with Oleksandr Usyk, adding another potential chapter to a storied career. But one thing is clear: Wilder believes the mental battle that nearly broke him is finally over, and he is back to his ruthless self – the one who wants to inflict that power on Anthony Joshua when the moment is right.
