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Anthony Joshua's stunning showdown with Jake Paul looks set to take place just six days before Christmas.

On Wednesday evening, it was reported that both Paul and Joshua were finalising a deal to fight each other before Christmas. The YouTuber-turned-boxer was set to take on Gervonta Davis this evening, but was forced to cancel the event after his opponent faced allegations of battery, false imprisonment and kidnapping from a former girlfriend.

Paul - who has not fought since his decision win over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr back in June - was desperate to stay active. The American called out several big names within the world of combat sports, including Francis Ngannou and Joshua. It now seems clearer that the 'Problem Child' will face the two-time heavyweight champion on December 19 in Miami - with the fight set to be broadcast live on Netflix.

The fight is expected to be staged over eight three-minute rounds, with both fighters set to wear 10oz gloves. It is also anticipated that the result WILL count on their respective professional records. Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has called for the showdown to take place under Queensberry rules. "No, not an exhibition. We're not interested in exhibitions. It's a real fight," he said.

"There's stuff to be resolved and discussed. It would be a real fight with Queensberry rules, 10-ounce gloves. The rounds would be agreed. The weight, I mean, we may come down to a number that's more suited for Jake, if that is even a thing. It's a heavyweight fight. There was a bit of a jumping of the gun from the media last night.

"It's a cruiserweight moving up to heavyweight. We were going to have an eight-round fight this year, on an undercard somewhere. We didn't expect that to be against Jake Paul, but it just so happens that if it is, it's for 50 times more money than we were going to fight for.

"I think if there is any chance of that fight happening next week, you'll probably hear about it. It's not done, despite rumours. We have had an approach from MVP [Most Valuable Promotions]. I have my doubts. I mean, if he would be crazy enough to entertain that, we would be willing to oblige, in all honesty. I think it would be virtually impossible for the levels of money involved to turn down the opportunity to be in that fight. But, like I said, nothing confirmed yet, and we'll see what happens."

Joshua has not fought since his being knocked out by fellow Brit Daniel Dubois in September 2024. The two-time heavyweight champion sustained some minor injuries from the bout, and underwent surgery on his elbow earlier this year. He was in line to return to action before the end of the year prior to Paul's call-out.

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If all goes well next month, it is expected that Joshua will return to the ring in February, facing a 'top-20' heavyweight before chasing a fight with Tyson Fury next summer. The 'Gypsy King' retired back in January following back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, but has teased a potential comeback over the last few months.

"Our plan is really cemented with Turki Al-Sheikh for 2026. And that's a big fight in February, and then Tyson Fury," Hearn added. "That's what is being discussed. That's what he's telling us he's going to make happen. We'll leave that to him. So if we do run out, and just wipe out Jake Paul before Christmas, and make I don't know, £50m or £60m, sweet as a nut. If not, we won't do it, and we'll wait until February. But, you know, I think some people get on their high horse."

Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn will go head-to-head for a second time on Saturday, November 15. The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in north London will once again play host to the event. Official timings are still under wraps - but it's expected that the undercard will kick off at around 5pm UK time. For the main event, the ringwalks are anticipated to happen at approximately 9:50pm UK time. The bout will be broadcast live and exclusively on DAZN pay-per-view.