Jake Paul’s upcoming heavyweight clash with Anthony Joshua will be contested under fully professional rules that elevate it far beyond the exhibition status of many celebrity boxing matches. The December 19th showdown in Miami has been sanctioned as an official professional bout that will permanently impact both fighters’ records, featuring eight three-minute rounds with standard 10-ounce gloves under the supervision of the Florida State Boxing Commission.
Professional Sanctioning: No Exhibition Safety Net
Unlike Jake Paul’s previous bout against Mike Tyson or other celebrity boxing events, the Paul-Joshua matchup will be recorded on both men’s professional records with no asterisks attached. The Florida State Boxing Commission has confirmed full sanctioning for the contest, meaning the result—whether decision, knockout, or technical decision—will become a permanent part of their boxing legacies.
This professional status brings significant implications for both fighters. For Paul, a victory would represent legitimate career advancement against a former unified world champion. For Joshua, anything less than a dominant performance could further damage his standing in the traditional boxing landscape. The commission will appoint neutral officials, including judges and referees, following standard professional boxing protocols.
Round Structure and Duration
The fight has been scheduled for eight three-minute rounds, a format that sits between typical celebrity boxing matches (which often feature shorter rounds) and championship professional bouts (which extend to 10 or 12 rounds). This eight-round distance represents a compromise that acknowledges Paul’s relative inexperience while still providing sufficient time for Joshua’s conditioning and experience advantages to potentially manifest.
Each round will last the standard three minutes used in professional boxing worldwide, with one-minute rest periods between rounds. The total possible fight duration of 24 minutes of action gives Joshua ample opportunity to wear down his less-experienced opponent while also providing Paul the chance to score an early upset without needing to prove championship-level stamina.
Glove Specifications and Weight
Both fighters will compete using 10-ounce gloves, the standard weight for professional heavyweight bouts. This represents a significant departure from the 12-ounce or even 16-ounce gloves often used in exhibition matches for added safety. The lighter gloves increase punching power and potential for knockouts, indicating both camps expect a serious, competitive contest rather than a safety-first exhibition.
The glove selection favours Joshua’s concussive power—25 of his 28 professional victories have come by knockout—while also providing Paul with better speed for his combinations. Commission officials will inspect and approve all gloves before the bout to ensure compliance with professional standards.
Weight Classification and Weigh-in Procedures
Despite being contested at heavyweight, there will be no maximum weight limit for the bout. Both fighters are expected to weigh in the day before the event, following standard professional boxing protocols, with their official weights recorded for historical purposes. Joshua typically weighs between 240-250 pounds for his fights, while Paul has previously competed around 200 pounds, though he’s expected to add significant mass for this heavyweight encounter.
The absence of a weight limit means Joshua will likely enjoy a substantial size and strength advantage, though Paul may benefit from potential speed and mobility advantages at a lower weight. Neither fighter will face weight-cutting penalties or restrictions, allowing both to compete at their natural fighting weights.
Judging and Scoring Criteria
The bout will be scored using the standard 10-point must system employed in professional boxing worldwide. Three neutral judges appointed by the Florida commission will score each round, awarding 10 points to the winner and 9 or fewer to the loser, with even rounds scored 10-10 if necessary.
Knockdowns, effective aggressiveness, ring generalship, and clean punching will determine the scoring, following traditional professional boxing criteria. Unlike some exhibition matches where winners are predetermined or the focus is purely on entertainment, this bout will be genuinely contested with a definitive winner declared based on standard professional judging protocols.
Rules and Foul Procedures
The fight will be governed by the unified rules of boxing as adopted by the Florida State Boxing Commission. Legal techniques include punches above the belt with the knuckle portion of the glove, while fouls such as low blows, headbutts, holding and hitting, or hitting after the break command will result in standard professional boxing penalties.
The referee has the authority to issue warnings, point deductions, or even disqualification for repeated or intentional fouls. Unlike exhibition matches, where referees often intervene quickly to protect participants, the officiating will follow standard professional protocols, allowing fighters to work out of difficult positions and potentially recover from knockdowns.
Conclusion: Legitimacy Through Regulation
The strict adherence to professional boxing rules elevates the Paul-Joshua matchup above the spectacle status of many crossover fights. By submitting to full commission oversight, standardised rules, and permanent record-keeping, both fighters have demonstrated their commitment to treating this as a legitimate professional contest rather than a celebrity exhibition.
For boxing purists, the professional sanctioning provides reason to take the bout seriously, while for casual fans, it adds stakes that exhibition matches inherently lack. When the bell rings in Miami on December 19th, the rules governing the action will be indistinguishable from those overseeing any other professional heavyweight contest—and the consequences will be equally real for both participants.
Paul vs Joshua: Official Rules Breakdown
How many rounds will the fight be?
8 professional rounds of 3 minutes each, with 1-minute rest periods between rounds.
What size gloves will they use?
Standard 10-ounce professional boxing gloves, as required for heavyweight bouts.
Will this fight count on their professional records?
Yes, this is a fully sanctioned professional bout that will permanently impact both fighters’ records.
What happens if the fight goes the distance?
Three neutral judges will score the bout using the 10-point must system to determine a winner.
Are there any special rules or exceptions?
No, the fight will follow standard professional boxing rules without exhibition-style modifications or safety exceptions.
