In a stunning twist ahead of their heavyweight clash, Jake Paul is being backed by half of all punters to score a monumental upset against former world champion Anthony Joshua. The two are set to meet in a professional bout in Miami on December 19, with the event streaming live on Netflix.
Betting Public Sides with the Underdog
Despite Anthony Joshua being the overwhelming bookmakers' favourite at odds of 1/16, the betting public is showing significant faith in the YouTube star-turned-boxer. Data from Oddschecker reveals that, as of early December, a full 50% of all wagers are being placed on a Jake Paul victory, compared to 34% for Joshua and 16% for a draw. Paul's current odds stand at 17/2.
"Jake Paul has received a higher percentage of wagers in the past 12 hours with 50% of bets placed," confirmed Oddschecker spokesperson Chris Rogers. This surge in support for the underdog comes despite the stark physical disparity highlighted when the pair stood face-to-face at their launch press conference, where the seasoned Olympian and two-time world champion towered over his social media-famous rival.
High-Profile Backers and Paul's Bold Prediction
The belief in a Paul win extends beyond anonymous bettors. Several notable figures have publicly put their money behind the 28-year-old. Paul's former opponent, UFC legend Nate Diaz, shared a betting slip showing a $20,000 stake on the 'Problem Child', which would net him $142,000 if successful. Even more eye-watering is a $5 million bet placed by legendary Hollywood producer Jon Peters.
Paul himself is radiating confidence, promising a dramatic knockout. "I know that I have the power and the timing," he stated. "It's the shots you don't see coming, and I'm a tricky knockout artist; he has to be careful. I think it will be a fourth or fifth-round knockout. I'm ready to die to win this fight."
Fight Details and How to Watch
The highly-anticipated eight-round contest represents Paul's toughest test to date, following a professional record built largely against former MMA stars like Tyron Woodley, Ben Askren, and Anderson Silva. His sole loss was a split decision to Tommy Fury in 2023, but he does hold a notable heavyweight win over Mike Tyson in November 2024.
The fight is scheduled for December 19 at the AT&T Stadium in Miami. The main event walk-outs are expected around 11 PM local time (4 AM UK time on December 20), though timings depend on the undercard. For UK fans, the fight will be available to stream live on Netflix, which is currently offered for free with Sky's £15 Essential TV bundle.
