Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua live: Bizarre fight rivals to come face-to-face at first press conference

Joshua has vowed to chase a KO of Paul, saying in a press release on Monday: “Jake or anyone can get this work, no mercy.

“I took some time out and I’m coming back with a mega show. It’s a big opportunity for me. Whether you like it or not, I’m here to do massive numbers, have big fights and break every record while keeping cool, calm and collected.

“Mark my words, you’ll see a lot more fighters take these opportunities in the future. I’m about to break the internet over Jake Paul’s face.”

“This isn’t an AI simulation, this is Judgment Day,” added Paul. “A professional heavyweight fight against an elite world champion in his prime. When I beat Anthony Joshua, every doubt disappears, and no one can deny me the opportunity to fight for a world title.

“To all my haters, this is what you wanted. To the people of the United Kingdom, I am sorry. On Friday December 19, under the lights in Miami, live globally only on Netflix, the torch gets passed and Britain’s Goliath gets put to sleep.”

Tonight’s press conference follows this afternoon’s announcement of the undercard for 19 December.

Also in Miami, unified super-featherweight champion Alycia Baumgardner defends her titles against Leila Beaudoin, who aims to seize the IBF and WBO belts.

That contest will serve as the evening’s co-main event. More women’s world titles will be on the line, too.

Full card; ‘C’ denotes champion:

Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul (heavyweight)

Alycia Baumgardner (C) vs Leila Beaudoin (IBF, WBO women’s super-featherweight titles)

Anderson Silva vs Tyron Woodley (cruiserweight)

Cherneka Johnson (C) vs Amanda Galle (IBF, WBC, WBO women’s bantamweight titles)

Yokasta Valle (C) vs Yadira Bustillos (WBC women’s strawweight title)

Avious Griffin vs Justin Cardona (welterweight)

Keno Marley vs Diarra Davis Jr (cruiserweight)

The bout will not be an exhibition but rather a professional contest, meaning the result will go on each man’s record and a knockout is possible.

However, the heavyweight fight is scheduled for eight three-minute rounds, making it shorter than most main-event matches on the men’s side of the sport.

Furthermore, Joshua will be capped at 245lb on the day before the fight. Yet each man will wear standard 10oz gloves rather than any larger, more forgiving pairs.

Tonight’s press conference is due to begin at 6pm GMT – 1am local time in Miami.

That’s the same time that the Paul vs Joshua undercard will begin on 19 December, in the same city.

And today, the opponents will face off at a press conference in Miami. Follow live updates right here.