Eddie Hearn has confirmed that tomorrow's heavyweight clash between Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua will take place in an enlarged 22x22-foot ring at Miami's Kaseya Center.
The Matchroom promoter revealed the dimensions to iFL TV on Wednesday, sparking considerable debate among boxing enthusiasts.
Professional bouts typically occur within a 20x20-foot squared circle, making Friday's fighting surface notably more spacious than standard.
Paul himself addressed the ring size at the final press conference, stating: "That's accurate. Pretty standard. I think fights range from 20-foot rings to 24-foot rings. So, 22 feet, I feel great about it."
Jake Paul 'feels great' about the change in ring size
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The 22x22 measurement represents the second-largest permissible ring size in professional boxing, with only 24x24-foot dimensions exceeding it.
Social media users have been quick to suggest the expanded dimensions favour the American YouTuber-turned-boxer.
One commenter remarked: "More space for Jake Paul to run away into. AJ with 10oz gloves he better move quick."
Another fan wrote: "Yeah so Jake Paul can run away around the ring and try avoid Joshua's right hand."
A third observer noted: "Plenty of space for Jake Paul to hide."
Anthony Joshua is the clear favourite to beat Jake Paul
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Others predicted considerable evasive tactics, with one simply stating: "There will be a lot of running."
However, not all were convinced the larger canvas would prove decisive, with one fan arguing: "I doubt a 21 per cent bigger ring is going to make that much of a difference."
The contest will be conducted over eight three-minute rounds, with both fighters wearing 10-ounce gloves.
Joshua faces a contracted weight restriction of 245 pounds at the official weigh-in, a stipulation implemented because Paul is stepping up from cruiserweight.
Hearn explained the rationale to Forbes: "The weight is 245 pounds, but that's just because Jake's coming up from cruiserweight."
The Watford-born fighter tipped the scales at just over 252 pounds for his September defeat to Daniel Dubois, meaning he has had to shed considerable mass.
Crucially, no restrictions apply to how much weight Joshua may regain after the official weigh-in, suggesting he could enter the ring substantially heavier than his American opponent.
Jake Paul looked puny compared to Anthony Joshua at their face-off
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The enlarged ring dimensions have precedent in high-profile encounters, most notably Canelo Alvarez's 2021 super middleweight unification bout against Billy Joe Saunders, where the additional space was intended to benefit the Briton's footwork.
That strategy proved unsuccessful, with Canelo retiring Saunders after eight rounds following a broken eye socket.
Sugar Ray Leonard and Marvin Hagler's celebrated 1987 encounter also utilised a 22x22-foot canvas, with the nimble Leonard emerging victorious on that occasion.
Joshua himself appeared bemused by Paul's willingness to face him, declaring at the open workouts: "You got some big balls, and I've got to give you respect for taking this fight because I'm f** ready."