Jake Paul’s foray into the world of boxing has been marked by bold statements and challenges directed at some of the sport’s most established names. Among his most ambitious targets is former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua. Paul has openly criticized the British fighter, claiming that Joshua has lost his edge and asserting full confidence in his own ability to defeat him in the ring.
Recently, during the press conference ahead of the third bout between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano, The Problem Child provided an update on his future plans. Jake Paul revealed that a potential matchup against Gervonta Davis fell through after Tank earned a majority draw in his bout with Lamont Roach. Nonetheless, Paul reiterated his intent to face Joshua, keeping the hype alive.
Paul’s provocations toward Joshua intensified on March 20, when he boldly declared: “I know my boundaries. I want to fight Anthony Joshua — exclusive — because I know that I will [expletive] beat Anthony Joshua’s [expletive]. I know I will beat him. He doesn’t have a chin, he has no skill, and he’s stiff.” Both fighters later shared images on social media captioned “2026”, fueling speculation about a potential future clash.
Paul and Joshua exchange words and plans
“Yes, we’re going to plan that for 2026. I talked to Anthony on the phone. He called me and said, ‘I saw you called me out. Let’s run it. Make it happen,’” Paul stated, suggesting that talks with the former unified champion are ongoing, and that both sides appear willing to bring the fight to life.
Anthony Joshua looks on prior to the IBF World Heavyweight Title fight against Daniel Dubois. (Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
Jake Paul’s last appearance in the ring came in November 2024, when he defeated Mike Tyson by decision in a fight that drew significant attention—and controversy—due to the age gap between the two men. Rumors briefly swirled around a possible matchup against Canelo Álvarez, but those talks dissolved when Turki Alalshikh signed Álvarez to a four-fight deal.
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From Canelo to Joshua: Jake Paul eyes a new target
Having moved past the possibility of facing Canelo, Paul is now fully focused on Anthony Joshua. Despite suffering a brutal knockout loss in his most recent bout against Daniel Dubois, Joshua remains one of the sport’s most recognizable and dangerous fighters. With a professional record of 28 wins (25 KOs) and 4 losses, the British powerhouse represents a formidable challenge for Paul.
The prospect of a Paul-Joshua fight in 2026 has generated considerable buzz, combining Paul’s media magnetism with Joshua’s proven in-ring pedigree. If realized, the bout could become one of the most high-profile—and polarizing—events in modern boxing.
