Jake Paul has been given a glimpse of what awaits him after potentially breaking his nose in sparring.
The Youtuber-turned-boxer has stepped up his training by sparring with heavyweights ahead of his sanctioned fight with Anthony Joshua on December 19.
Paul is expected to be on the end of a pummelling against the former two-time heavyweight champion, with Oleksandr Usyk raising serious fears for his health.
Joshua’s decision to fight Paul has raised questions over the legitimacy of the bout. It is scheduled for eight three-minute rounds, with the Brit limited to weighing 245-pounds.
Jake Paul suffers another sparring accident
Just days after taking to Instagram to show off a black eye that Lawrence Okolie inflicted during a sparring session, Paul seems to have picked up another potentially serious incident.
During a filmed interview with IFL TV, presenter Pat McAfee noticed Paul’s nose was out of shape.
He asked: “You broke your nose? Is this new? I’ve just noticed your nose…”
Paul responds: “It’s even more crooked, brother. I’m not going to lie, sparring with the heavyweights, my nose is a full couple of millimetres to the side.
“A guy by the name of Frank Sanchez cracked it a little bit, so it definitely has a slight something in there. But yea… it’s bad.”
Sanchez, 33, is a Cuban professional boxer who is a former NABO and WBC Continental Americas heavyweight champion.
👀 @JakePaul has revealed that Frank Sanchez is responsible for busting his nose in sparring but didn’t reveal whether it was broken or not.
Fair play to Jake fighting AJ with his nose busted like that 👏🏼
🎬 @PatMcAfeeShow #JakeJoshua | #BoxingHype pic.twitter.com/8Uwr27Ty3w
— IFL TV (@IFLTV) December 11, 2025
He last fought in February, defeating Ramon Olivas Echeverria with a TKO in the third round.
Taking on Joshua is a serious upgrade on Paul’s previous bouts, which have included a farcical exhibition bout with 58-year-old Mike Tyson and numerous former UFC fighters.
With the prospect of AJ facing boxing humiliation, the Brit has reaffirmed to supporters that he will be showing no mercy inside the ring.
He said: “I think they [the fans] can’t get their heads around how he has beaten Anderson Silva, how did he beat Nate Diaz? How did he beat Mike Tyson?
“I am telling you, there is no stipulation in the contract where I have to take it easy on him.”
Caroline Dubois added to undercard
WBC lightweight world champion Caroline Dubois will fight on the undercard in Miami, having signed up with Paul’s promotional company MVP.
Dubois will defend her title against Italy’s Camila Panatta.
Dubois, who is the sister of former heavyweight champ Daniel, steps into the ring for the first time since retaining her title against Bo Mi Re Shin in March.
She defeated Maira Moneo to claim the WBC Interim lightweight title last year.
After relinquishing the title, Dubois was elevated to become the WBC lightweight world champion in December 2024.
Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua Full Undercard
Paul v Joshua main card from 01:00 GMT 20 December
- Jake Paul v Anthony Joshua – heavyweight (8x3min rounds)
- Caroline Dubois vs Camila Panatta – WBC lightweight world title (12x3min rounds)
- Alycia Baumgardner v Lela Beaudoin – WBA, IBF & WBO super-featherweight world titles (12x3min rounds)
- Anderson Silva v Tyron Woodley – cruiserweight (6x3min rounds)
- Jahmal Harvey v Kevin Cervantes – featherweight (6x3min rounds)
Paul v Joshua preliminary card from 21:45pm GMT 19 December
- Cherneka Johnson v Amanda Galle – undisputed bantamweight title (10x2min rounds)
- Yokasta Valle v Yadira Bustillos – WBC strawweight world title (10x2min rounds)
- Avious Griffin v Justin Cardona – welterweight (8x3min rounds)
- Keno Marley v Diarra Davis Jr – cruiserweight (4x3min rounds)
