Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua Betting Insights, Odds for Netflix Fight

Patrick Everson Sports Betting Expert

4 minute read

Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua odds are piquing bettors' interest as the Dec. 19 fight draws closer. This time, though, Paul is an underdog, taking on a legit boxer who could very well pound the 28-year-old.

But that's not stopping the public betting masses from backing Paul, to the point that at least one major sportsbook could have nine-figure liability if he overcomes those Paul vs. Joshua odds and posts the upset in Friday's bout on Netflix.

Here’s everything you need to know about Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua betting odds, as bookmakers provide insights on the action. Check back for updates and use our bet365 bonus code to get the most out of your action.

Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua Betting Odds

Massive Liability

LATEST UPDATE: With the first bell 12 hours or so away, DraftKings Sportsbook has Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua odds at Joshua -1200/Paul +700. That's down from openers of Joshua -1500/Paul +800, and Paul has been as short as +650.

Which helps explain the position that's building for DraftKings and others. Simply put, there's a modest mountain of bets on the underdog right now, and it could become a massive mountain by opening bell.

"What we're seeing Friday morning is that we've got 10-15% of the money in. So what we're looking at, the way it is trending, is that we're gonna have this huge liability of up to $100 million by the time we get to the fight," DraftKings director of sportsbook operations Johnny Avello said.

"That's not to say there's not Joshua money coming in. But there aren't many people willing to lay that price with Joshua."

Stating the obvious, DrafKings and everyone else need Joshua to do what's expected of a -1200 favorite.

"It surely looks like that at this point," Avello said, while noting DK is pulling levers to get more Joshua action. "We've got a boost on Joshua to win in Round 1 or 2."

That prop is at +150. In addition, there are individual round props with more attractive prices on Joshua, including:

• To win in Round 1: +300
• To win in Round 2: +350
• To win in Round 3: +500

And those prices get larger with each round for the scheduled eight-round bout, showing DK feels this matchup will be a short one.

"When you look at the fight, Joshua is a boxer who has experience and skills. When he hits you, you know you've been hit," Avello said.

Action Attraction

Avello said there's a confluence of factors leading to this fight being so well-bet. Not the least of which, of course, is the combination of Jake Paul's popularity and the incredible reach of Netflix.

"Paul is quite a promoter. Most of his fights, he's been the favorite. Now, he's fighting a legitimate boxer who has legitimate skills. On paper, this looks like a mismatch," Avello said. "But Paul has star power. He's fighting on Netflix, which has huge reach.

"It's a Friday night. Alabama-Oklahoma leads into the fight. It'll be heavily watched. It's gonna be one of the most-watched fights in boxing history."

The amount of action already in and the massive amount yet to come hasn't caught Avello off guard.

"I'm not surprised one bit," Avello said. "With the Netflix factor and social media, I'm not surprised with where the money is going. We've put up a fair price, and we're holding to that price. The early money solidifies what we thought would happen.

"We're all looking forward to it. It should be quite an attraction."

Previous Update

High Handle

THURSDAY UPDATE: Caesars Sports has Anthony Joshua as a -1000 favorite in Paul vs. Joshua odds. That shows the risk room isn't giving Jake Paul much of a chance, as a +600 underdog for Friday night's fight on Netflix.

Those odds represent the biggest headwinds of Paul's boxing career, before which he was primarily an internet personality and actor. It's Paul's 14th fight, and he's 12-1 thus far. Most recently, he beat 39-year-old Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. by unanimous decision in a 10-round bout.

Prior to that, on Nov. 15, 2024, Paul beat Mike Tyson by unanimous decision in an eight-round bout, at two minutes per round. That was an absolute spectacle, even with Tyson at 58 years old and Paul just 27.

But there's plenty of intrigue in Paul vs. Joshua, as well.

"Betting interest is definitely high," Caesars combat sports trader Brandon Yaeger said. "From a total handle aspect, it will be lower than Paul-Tyson, just due to where the odds sit. But the handle has already surpassed the fight between Paul and Chavez Jr."

That handle includes a $90,000 bet on Joshua -900, to potential profit $10,000 if Joshua wins.

Prediction market Kalshi also makes Joshua a big favorite vs. Paul.

Underdog Role

LATEST UPDATE: As Yaeger points out, this is a new spot for Paul, who was favored in his previous 13 outings.

"This will be the first fight where Jake is an underdog. He came close with Tommy Fury, which was probably the last time he had a reasonable challenge in front of him," Yaeger said.

Indeed, Paul lost that eight-round bout on a split decision. And Joshua is a a far more worthy opponent that Fury.

"There is a huge step up in terms of matchmaking, and [it's] the first time fighting against an actual active boxer who he doesn't have a size/weight advantage on," Yaeger said of Paul.

Where the action is now and where it will be come 10:30 p.m. ET Friday, when Paul and Joshua enter the ring, could be two different things.

"So far, more casual action has just been small bets on Paul, which obviously drives up the liability, with him being +600," Yaeger said. "As we open the limits more and get closer to fight night, I expect some more wagers on Joshua to start coming in."

Ways To Bet On Paul vs. Joshua Odds

Beyond the usual moneyline, Caesars Sports is offering the following markets on Paul vs. Joshua odds:

• Method of result (knockout/TKO/DQ, decision/technical decision, draw)
• Total rounds: 2.5 Over -180/Under +140
• Go the Distance: No -500/Yes +325
• Round betting

"I think the most interesting line is total rounds 2.5," Yaeger said. "Most people expect Joshua to make quick work of Paul. But sometimes you see the guys play with their food, in a sense, and carry [opponents] a little further into the fight."

Patrick Everson

Patrick Everson is a senior reporter for VegasInsider. Based in Las Vegas since 1994, he's worked in the sports betting journalism/content space for more than a decade. He's most known for his deep roster of contacts behind sportsbook counters, providing readers and viewers with the ins-and-outs of how events are being bet. He's also a thought leader in the sports betting space, often appearing on or moderating panels at national conferences. More from Patrick Everson