Rumors about a showdown between influencer-turned-boxer Jake Paul and former unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua have intensified recently. This potential clash has stirred strong opinions across the boxing world.
Despite the obvious gap in experience and skill, talks between representatives on both sides are reportedly advancing. The possibility of this fight taking place has shifted from improbable to plausible, with insiders describing the chances as nearly even.
Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s British promoter, expressed a blunt warning to Paul, emphasizing the danger he faces in the ring with Joshua. “I hope AJ goes in there and destroys him. This would be a brutal beatdown, an easy night at the office,” he said, underscoring the expected physical disparity between the two.
Is the fight between Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua really happening?
The prospect of a fight between Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua seemed far-fetched a few years ago. Now, the discussion is gaining serious momentum. Eddie Hearn revealed he recently spoke with Nakisa Bidarian, a close associate of Paul and co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions. Hearn confirmed, “this is very real,” adding the likelihood of the fight happening is “50/50.” Bidarian characterized the event as one of “biblical” proportions, with potential timing aimed for 2026.
Anthony Joshua and Eddie Hearn, Chairman of Matchroom Sport, look on from ringside during the WBO Interim World Light Heavyweight Title fight between Joshua Buatsi and Callum Smith as part of Beterbiev v Bivol 2: The Last Crescendo at Kingdom Arena on February 22, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
Yet, skepticism remains. Journalist Gareth A. Davies questioned Paul’s boxing credentials, calling him “a regional level boxer” and raised concerns about the safety of sanctioning such a fight given Joshua’s heavyweight power: “It doesn’t seem safe. I don’t think it should be sanctioned by any commission.”
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Could this fight solve the “Jake Paul problem”?
The chairman of Riyadh Season, Turki Alalshikh, initially skeptical, now views the bout as a way to resolve ongoing debates about Jake Paul’s place in boxing. Alalshikh commented, “If Joshua destroys him, the headache is over. If Jake Paul wins, we will know that he deserves to be in boxing.”
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Can Jake Paul realistically challenge Anthony Joshua in the ring?
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Much remains uncertain about the fight’s future, but one thing is clear: if it materializes, it promises to be a major spectacle with global attention.
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