The Kaseya Center in Miami hosts yet another crossover-type contest this Friday evening, as former world heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua takes on social Media sensation Jake Paul in a scheduled eight-rounder.
Most Valuable Promotions promote Paul vs Joshua and Netflix televise the bill live worldwide.
Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs) is allegedly on a collision course with domestic rival Tyson Fury, but is coming off a loss and will look to rebuild in this showcase contest.
‘AJ’ won and lost unified gold, the last title fight of his reign ending in a loss on the cards to Oleksandr Usyk, who then defeated the Watford man in an immediate rematch via split decision in September 2022.
The 36-year-old would then win four on the spin on the comeback trail, including a two-round wipeout of former UFC champion Francis Ngannou, but his most recent bout ended in a devastating loss, as Daniel Dubois dominated and overwhelmed him in five rounds for the IBF world title, with Joshua down four times in total.
The brash and confident Paul (12-1, 7 KOs) will be next for ‘AJ’, with ‘The Problem Child’ carefully selecting his opponents to date.
The 28-year-old lost a split decision to Tommy Fury over eight rounds in 2023, but has won his last six, albeit in barely-believable company.
November 2024 saw the American beat a near 60-year-old Mike Tyson over eight rounds using 14-ounce gloves, and he was last out in June, clearly outscoring the badly-faded Julio Cesar Chavez Jr over ten.
Paul was scheduled to face lightweight champion, Gervonta Davis in an exhibition last month, but the bout was cancelled after Davis was accused of hitting an ex-girlfriend in a lawsuit.
Prediction: If this fight is a real bonafide boxing match as it’s being sold, then there can be only one outcome. This should be Joshua winning very early on.
Baumgardner battles Baudoin
WBA, IBF and WBO super featherweight ruler Alycia Baumgardner defends her gold over a scheduled 12 rounds against Leila Beaudoin.
Baumgardner (16-1, 7 KOs) gave up the WBC strap after a clear points win against Jennifer Miranda in July, while Beaudoin (13-1, 2 KOs) is on a run of four straight wins since a 2023 points loss, with her last success a sixth-round stoppage of Elhem Mekhaled in June.
Prediction: Baumgardner is a talented fighter and she can retain again here with a wide points win.
Johnson tackles Galle
Undisputed bantamweight champion, Cherneka Johnson (18-2, 8 KOs) is in action, and she should defend her wealth of titles with a clear points win against Amanda Galle (12-0-1, 1 KO).
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Dubois defends against Panatta
Caroline Dubois (11-0-1, 5 KOs) makes a third defence of her WBC lightweight title, and she should be able to come through as a points winner against Camilla Panatta (8-2-1, 1 KO) in her debut with MVP.
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Remaining Undercard
The final ten-rounder comes at minimumweight, where Yokasta Valle (33-3, 10 KOs) can win her fourth fight on the spin on points against Yadira Bustillos (11-1, 2 KOs).
In a welterweight eight-rounder, Avious Griffin (17-1, 16 KOs) can get back to winning ways after a final round defeat last time out, by halting Justin Cardona (10-1, 5 KOs).
In six-rounders, former UFC fighters collide, and Anderson Silva (3-2, 2 KOs) can defeat Tyron Woodley (0-2) early on in their light heavyweight meeting.
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At super featherweight, Jahmal Harvey (1-0, 1 KO) can win a shootout inside schedule against Kevin Cervantes (5-0, 5 KOs).
The sole four-rounder is at cruiserweight, where debutant Keno Marley can halt Diarra Davis Jr (2-1, 1 KO).
