YouTuber-Turned-Boxer Reveals Shiner from Sessions with Ex-Champ Okolie as He Bulks Up for December 19 Professional Bout.

Jake Paul

Jake Paul has flashed a fresh black eye sustained during intense sparring with a towering British heavyweight, ramping up preparations for his audacious yet blockbuster showdown with Anthony Joshua on December 19 at Miami’s Kaseya Center.

The clash, billed as a full-fledged professional contest rather than an exhibition, will impact both fighters’ records and allow knockouts—pitting the 28-year-old YouTuber-turned-boxer against the 36-year-old former two-time world heavyweight champion in one of boxing’s most improbable matchups.

Paul’s Path: From Disney to Defeating Icons

Paul, sporting a 12-1 pro record (seven KOs), built his ring credentials by toppling ex-world champions like Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., former UFC kings Tyron Woodley and Anderson Silva, and even 58-year-old heavyweight legend Mike Tyson. Yet, facing Joshua—an Olympic gold medalist and devastating puncher—marks Paul’s steepest challenge in class and caliber.

Shiner from Sparring Giant Okolie

To acclimate to elite British bruisers, Paul has been trading blows with heavyweights, emerging with a visible shiner from sessions against former WBC and WBO champion Lawrence Okolie. The Hackney-born Okolie, 32 and riding a three-fight win streak—capped by a victory over Kevin Lerena on the Oleksandr Usyk vs. Daniel Dubois undercard at Wembley—towers at 6-foot-6 and 270lbs.

On Adin Ross’ Kick stream, Paul quipped: “I’m sparring a bunch of world champion heavyweights. I think Lawrence Okolie did that to me. He’s like six foot six, 270lbs.”

Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua

Weight Watch: Paul Bulking to 220lbs Against Joshua’s Cap

Paul disclosed his current 215lbs frame, targeting 220lbs by fight night, while Joshua is contractually capped at 245lbs—highlighting the size disparity in this eight-round, three-minute affair streamed live on Netflix.

As hype builds for this seismic spectacle—expected ring walks around 10-10:30 p.m. ET—Paul’s battle scars underscore the grit behind his bravado, promising fireworks when Britain’s Goliath meets the disruptive American upstart.