Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua fight rules: Number of rounds, weight limit and gloves

Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul will meet in the ring this week with ‘The Problem Child’ out to spring one of the biggest upsets in boxing history.

The former Olympian has not fought since his knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois in September 2024 and was looking to see out the year with a tune-up fight before pursuing greater things next year.

Instead, he finds himself in a hugely lucrative showdown with Paul, boxing’s ‘Problem Child’ who has finally landed the big fish after years of calling out the sport’s top names.

Despite the conspiracy theories, there is no script to follow on Friday with Paul vs Joshua a fully-fledged, sanctioned professional boxing contest.

Here’s all you need to know about the bout.

How many rounds is Paul vs Joshua?

The contest will be fought over eight rounds with each of those lasting three minutes.

Weight limit

There is no weight limit imposed upon Paul who hit the scales at a career-heaviest 227.2lbs for his fight with Tyson last year.

Joshua has been given a weight limit of 245lbs for Friday night. The former champion has weighed in as heavy as 255lbs in the past but has also come in at a lean 244.5lbs in his rematch against Oleksandr Usyk.

Gloves specifications

Both fighters will be wearing 10oz gloves.

Are knockouts allowed in Paul vs Joshua?

This is a professional boxing contest so yes, knockouts are certainly permitted.

Joshua has made a career out of rendering people unconscious with 25 of his 28 career wins coming inside the distance.

Paul has shown he carries a bit of power himself however with seven stoppages to his name in 13 fights.

Will the result count on each fighter’s professional record

Yes – win, lose or draw, the result will be on the record of both men.

Expert fight prediction – former world champion Anthony Crolla

‘In terms of how this fight plays out, I think Joshua will come out and
throw a few feints, and if the fight’s not scripted – which I keep having
to say because I still think it’s madness – then Jake Paul, no matter hard
he’s trained, will tire very quickly reacting to feints,’ Crolla told Metro.

‘I think it will quickly dawn on him that he’s in with one of the biggest
punchers in world boxing. I think the first jab he feels, he’s going to
think, “oh my days! What’s going on here?”

I think it’ll be early. I’ll be absolutely shocked if this goes into the third round. I believe it will be all over within two. I reckon if Joshua wants to do sooner, he can do, but I think he’ll have a look about, have a move and might want to feel Jake’s shots on his gloves.’

Crolla spoke to Metro courtesy of to Free Bets the home of UK Betting Sites.

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