Anthony Joshua will fight Jake Paul on December 19 in Miami, Florida.
The Friday bout will be screened on Netflix and is due to take place in the Kaseya Center.
Paul had been due to meet lightweight Gervonta Davis in an event this month, but Davis' out of the ring issues scuppered the match and Paul was left looking for a new opponent.
Paul is 12-1 (7 KOs) as a pro, his lone loss coming against fellow novice Tommy Fury, and his last fight came against veteran former middleweight Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr, whom he outpointed over 10 rounds in June in Los Angeles.
In a statement, Paul said: "A professional heavyweight fight against an elite world champion in his prime. When I beat Anthony Joshua, every doubt disappears, and no one can deny me the opportunity to fight for a world title. To all my haters, this is what you wanted. To the people of the United Kingdom, I am sorry."
Joshua's name has been mentioned with Paul's for some time. There was talk of the two fighting early in 2026, but with Joshua needing a run out in 2025, promoters Matchroom believe he will sweep through Paul with ease so he can begin his charge to reclaim the heavyweight titles next year.
Joshua is currently in the midst of his longest period of inactivity in the pros. He has not fought since his September 2024 loss to Daniel Dubois, a devastating fifth-round stoppage defeat that saw him hit the canvas four times.
He has subsequently taken time out to heal an elbow injury and was looking to box in a run out later this year, before a more serious fight in the early part of 2025 and with a possible fight against Tyson Fury still being rumoured for the summer. He is 28-4 (25 KOs) and in another novelty fight devstatingly knocked out Francis Ngganou in two rounds in 2024.
There would have been plenty of red tape to navigate given Joshua is signed to fight exclusively on DAZN and the bout will be on Netflix.
Joshua's manager, Freddie Cunngingham, wrote on social media: "Jake v Joshua done deal. Great effort from the team to negotiate this ground breaking event so quickly."
Matchroom's Frank Smith wrote: "Be careful what you wish for," while Eddie Hearn posted: "A little Christmas treat before a huge 2026."
On Paul's social media, he just wrote: "Yes, it's real."
