Former heavyweight champion steps in as replacement opponent for December Netflix bout after Gervonta Davis withdrawal amid legal issues
Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul are completing negotiations for a heavyweight bout scheduled for December in Miami, with Netflix preparing to announce the matchup on Monday. Sources familiar with the discussions confirm the deal has been finalized, with the fight date set for either December 19 or 26 at a Miami venue.
The former unified heavyweight champion emerges as Paul's replacement opponent after the cancellation of a planned November 14 bout with Gervonta Davis. The lightweight champion was removed from the card following domestic violence allegations filed by his former partner in Miami-Dade County civil court.
Courtney Rossel filed a civil lawsuit against Davis alleging battery, aggravated battery, false imprisonment, kidnapping, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The alleged incident occurred at a Miami strip club where Rossel works, with Miami Gardens police confirming their investigation into the matter.
Most Valuable Promotions and Netflix quickly scrapped the original event after the lawsuit became public knowledge. MVP Chief Executive Nakisa Bidarian emphasized the company's commitment to handling the situation responsibly while maintaining plans for Paul to headline a Netflix event in 2025.
Paul publicly criticized Davis on social media following the withdrawal, expressing frustration about the impact on undercard fighters and event staff. The cancellation forced Paul's team to explore alternative opponents quickly to maintain their Netflix partnership momentum.
The 36-year-old British fighter has not competed since being stopped by Daniel Dubois in September 2024 for the IBF heavyweight title. Joshua underwent elbow surgery earlier this year and has been recovering while exploring training arrangements with various coaches.
Joshua recently experimented with different training approaches, including working with Oleksandr Usyk's team in Valencia, Spain. The former champion is currently without a full-time trainer after concluding his partnership with Ben Davison following three previous fights.
Promoter Eddie Hearn had indicated Joshua hoped to return before year-end, with early 2026 also considered as a possibility. The December Paul fight would mark Joshua's first appearance in more than 15 months, representing a significant step toward reestablishing his heavyweight credentials.
The streaming platform has invested heavily in boxing content, achieving remarkable success with Paul's previous bout against Mike Tyson. That November encounter became the most-streamed sporting event in history, peaking at 65 million live concurrent streams with an estimated 108 million average live viewers worldwide.
The Tyson fight dominated television viewing during its main event hour, accounting for 56% of all United States television consumption. The broadcast ranked as Netflix's number one title across 78 countries, demonstrating the platform's potential to capture massive global audiences for boxing events.
Netflix's boxing portfolio also includes high-profile matchups featuring undisputed champions like Terence Crawford facing Canelo Alvarez. The platform's commitment to premium boxing content positions it as a major player in combat sports entertainment distribution.
Joshua maintains an exclusive streaming agreement with DAZN, which must be resolved for the Netflix bout to proceed. The fight represents a co-promotion between Paul's Most Valuable Promotions and Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing, requiring coordination between multiple stakeholders.
Paul has demonstrated his ability to attract former world champions, recently defeating Mike Tyson and outpointing Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. These victories against recognizable names have elevated Paul's profile within professional boxing circles while generating substantial pay-per-view revenue.
The Joshua matchup represents Paul's most significant step up in competition, facing a former unified champion with legitimate heavyweight credentials. Joshua's professional record of 28 wins and 4 losses includes 25 knockouts, showcasing the power that made him a dominant force during his championship reign.
Netflix expects to confirm the exact fight date before Monday's official announcement, with global streaming distribution planned for the Miami event.