A surprising clash closes the boxing year
One of 2025’s final major fights shocks many figures in combat sports. Fans turn their eyes to two late-year boxing cards as the UFC ends its calendar. A day before Misfits Boxing returns with influencers, the pioneer of crossover boxing steps into the ring again. Jake Paul lost his planned fight with Gervonta Davis, which pushed him and Netflix to find a new opponent in early November. The search stunned the boxing world when it led to Anthony Joshua. Paul will meet Joshua on December 19 at Miami’s Kaseya Center. ‘The Problem Child’ faces a massive step up as he challenges the former two-time unified heavyweight champion. Many critics call the matchup a mismatch, and a major MMA voice now joins them.
Rogan labels the fight one of the wildest ideas ever
Joe Rogan believed he had seen everything as a combat sports fan and MMA analyst, but the Paul–Joshua announcement changed that view. He reacted on his podcast and delivered harsh warnings to the inexperienced YouTuber-turned-boxer. “Realistically, it’s one of the craziest propositions of all time,” Rogan said. He questioned the logic of sending a man who recently boxed a 58-year-old Mike Tyson into a ring with one of the most dangerous punchers in the heavyweight division. Rogan said he will still watch the fight, but he stressed the threat Joshua carries. Rogan argued that Joshua enters the bout angry and determined. He said Joshua feels insulted that a YouTuber wants to fight him. He warned Paul about Joshua’s right hand and called it a weapon that ends fights with one shot. Rogan described Joshua as a giant Olympic gold medalist with nuclear power in his punches.
Dana White shares Rogan’s brutal assessment
Rogan is not alone in his criticism. Dana White reacted even more sharply. Rogan said the fight could help Paul gain legitimacy in boxing, but White dismissed that idea. The UFC president called the matchup a “bad idea” and joined other major voices predicting a violent loss for Paul. White did not see any scenario in which Paul survives Joshua’s power.
A stacked card highlights December 19
Paul and Joshua headline a busy fight card featuring six more bouts. Anderson Silva and Tyron Woodley meet again in a clash of MMA veterans. The event closes one of the most unpredictable boxing years in recent memory.
