The social media star turned boxer recently shared that he is still waiting for medical clearance after suffering a broken jaw in two places during the heavyweight fight against Joshua. Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, Paul admitted there is a real possibility he may never return to the ring. “I think I’ll be able to get a more accurate timeframe, or can I even fight again? That is definitely in the realm of possibility,” Paul said.

The loss marked the biggest challenge of Paul’s boxing career. After competing mostly at cruiserweight since turning professional in 2020, he moved up in weight to face Joshua, a former two‑time unified heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medalist who had recently returned to training.

Paul still waiting for medical clearance

Following the sixth-round knockout loss, Paul underwent surgery after breaking his jaw in two places. Doctors inserted two titanium plates, and he also needed to have teeth removed as part of the recovery process.

Paul has not fought since the bout and says he still has not been allowed to spar again. While he continues training lightly and staying active in the gym, his return timeline remains uncertain.

“It does feel a lot better as weeks go by, but I definitely need to get cleared to be able to spar,” Paul explained. The 28-year-old added that upcoming scans will help doctors better evaluate how the bone is healing before any decisions are made about a potential comeback.

Joshua fight changed Paul’s career outlook

The fight against Joshua represented a major step up in competition for Paul, who had built his boxing profile against former MMA fighters, influencers, and lower-level professional opponents before facing an elite heavyweight.

Now, the injuries suffered in that fight could have long-term consequences for his future in combat sports. “Most definitely,” Paul said when asked if his boxing future was in doubt. “I think it just depends on how the bone heals.”

Hearn strongly rejected White’s assertion that he would serve as lead promoter for the event, criticizing the UFC president’s comments in direct terms. “Such a clout chaser. Not a chance and contractually impossible,” Hearn said, according to The Mirror. “Let me know when you find your (expletive).” The response came after White stated he would be involved in promoting the Fury vs Joshua blockbuster under his Zuffa Boxing plans.

The disagreement unfolds as Joshua continues working toward a full return after a disrupted year. The former heavyweight champion was expected to fight earlier in 2025 following his knockout win over Jake Paul in December, but his plans were delayed after a serious car accident. Since then, he has resumed training and has been seen preparing alongside former rival Oleksandr Usyk, who has recently been linked to a potential bout with David Benavidez, as he rebuilds toward a summer return window.

Fury vs Joshua build-up intensifies as promotional dispute grows

The long-awaited clash between Fury and Joshua remains dependent on both fighters successfully navigating their respective tune-up bouts. Joshua is expected to face Kristian Prenga on July 25, while Fury continues to position himself for what could be one of the most significant heavyweight events in modern boxing history.

Fury has already added fuel to the anticipation after publicly calling for the matchup following his recent ring appearance at Tottenham, where he secured a dominant win over Arslanbek Makhmudov. Joshua, meanwhile, has gradually re-entered the public spotlight, including attending major boxing events in the UK as he prepares for his return.

Dana White addressed his involvement in the event, stating: “This is the busiest year of my career. I’m gonna be traveling everywhere… I’m focused on Zuffa Boxing hardcore this year… I’m doing the Tyson Fury – AJ fight, too. I’m gonna be promoting that.” His comments directly challenged the long-standing promotional structure traditionally led by Hearn and Frank Warren.

Saudi-backed mega-fight remains in development amid uncertainty

Despite the public disagreement, the Fury vs Joshua fight remains backed by Saudi boxing figure Turki Alalshikh, with plans for a major global broadcast. The financial backing positions the event as one of the most significant boxing spectacles in recent memory once finalized.

However, the promotional dispute highlights the complexity behind organizing such a large-scale event involving multiple competing entities. While both fighters remain focused on their immediate fights, the business side continues to generate headlines and uncertainty.

For now, the bout remains conditional on performance in upcoming fights, but the growing tension between promoters has only intensified anticipation for a matchup that continues to dominate boxing discussions worldwide.

A new option has emerged in the form of WBO heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley, who has openly called for the opportunity. “I want to compete with the best and test myself… let me know who it is, I’ll say yes,” Wardley said, making it clear he is ready for a high-profile bout.

The situation adds pressure on Fury’s camp to make a decision, especially with recent news indicating that Tyson Fury could be planning another fight and multiple contenders trying to position themselves for a major bout before the end of the year.

Wardley targets top names to elevate his status

Wardley has made it clear that his ambitions go beyond just one opponent. Alongside Fury, he has also mentioned Oleksandr Usyk as a potential target, showing his willingness to face the division’s elite.

His approach reflects a broader strategy to prove himself quickly at the highest level. Taking on a name like Fury would not only elevate his profile but also reshape the current landscape of the heavyweight division.

Risk grows as heavyweight plans remain fluid

For Fury, taking a fight before Joshua could help maintain rhythm and sharpen his form. However, it also introduces risk at a crucial moment, with a major bout already planned later in the year.

The heavyweight division remains in flux, and Fury’s next move could have lasting implications. Whether he opts for activity or patience, the decision will play a key role in shaping one of boxing’s most anticipated matchups.

“I think he will probably want to be doing something in between, let’s see,” Warren told reporters. “AJ has got his fight. Tyson I’m quite sure will have a fight in between; that’s what he’s asking for, and we’ll see where we go from there.” Fury recently returned to action with a win over Arslanbek Makhmudov, and quickly shifted focus back toward Joshua afterward.

The Fury-Joshua fight has been discussed for years and remains one of the biggest possible matchups in boxing. However, both fighters are on different timelines right now.

Joshua, who attendanced Fury‑Makhmudov figth, is preparing for his return fight in July, while Fury’s team is considering keeping him active with an additional bout before negotiations for the final showdown are completed.

Fury’s possible interim fight could reshape timeline

Fury’s willingness to fight again before Joshua adds uncertainty to when the heavyweight clash will finally happen. His team appears focused on keeping him sharp and active, while also building momentum for what could be the biggest fight of his career.

At the same time, Joshua is set to return on July 25 in Riyadh against Kristian Prenga as part of his comeback plan. Both fighters are expected to take tune-up fights before meeting, which pushes the timeline further into late 2026.

For now, fans will have to wait as both heavyweights continue separate paths before eventually coming together in a long-anticipated showdown.

Makhmudov was, by all means, a tune-up fight for Tyson Fury. After the win, it’s all set up for Fury to fight with Anthony Joshua in what would be the biggest British bout of all time, and one of the best heavyweight collisions in history.

Fury and Joshua have been atop of heavyweight boxing for more than a decade, yet they have never crossed paths, until now. Joshua’s attendance was to set up the first step of the bout, which is start to build it.

Fury couldn’t finish Makhmudov, but dominated the whole fight

As usual, Fury gave away the first round with the goal of studying what Makhmudov would bring to the table. After that, Fury toyed with Makhmudov relying on his speed, accuracy, and simply outboxing Makhmudov.

Makhmudov has not much to his arsenal. He threw haymakers without much set up, and Fury saw them come from yesterday. Hence, he evaded and punished. The judges’ scorecards showed Fury winning by 120-108, 120-108, 119-109.

Joshua vs Fury will be an absolute spectacle

Not only are they both top-tier heavyweights, they are two huge stars. Both mainstream media and boxing hardcore fans will be appealed by this bout. It will actually paralyze the boxing scene. After the fight, Fury and Joshua exchanged some friendly-yet-competitive words between them at ringside.

Oleksandr Usyk is regarded as one of the most complete boxers in the heavyweight division. This reputation has led many to believe he could also shine in mixed martial arts, fueling speculation about a crossover fight in the near future.

Reports suggest that a match against UFC great Jon Jones could be an option if Usyk ever decides to try MMA. While Jake Paul has also been linked to a crossover fight against Usyk, the Ukrainian’s team has largely dismissed that scenario for the time being.

“A fight with Jake Paul in MMA at this stage is not being considered,” Team Usyk’s Sergey Lapin told Casinostugan (via The Mirror). “But we are always open to creative and interesting collaborations in the future. If we are talking about crossover fights, a very interesting matchup could be against Jon Jones in the United States. The best heavyweight in MMA against one of the best boxers of his generation could become a very big event if organized properly. Who is the baddest man on the planet?”

Jake Paul needs a recovery fight

Last December, Jake Paul faced Anthony Joshua in his toughest challenge to date. The influencer stepped into the ring against a former world champion who was clearly the superior boxer.

In the sixth round, Anthony Joshua knocked Jake Paul out to secure the win. The British star landed a punch that caused a double fracture in Paul’s jaw, raising questions about the YouTuber’s capacity to compete at the heavyweight level.

Jake Paul has indicated that he wants to fight again; however, he likely needs a “recovery” bout to rebuild his confidence. This would involve facing another influencer or a boxer who is not at the same elite level as Joshua.

Reports suggest that while Paul wants a rematch against Joshua, his next fight will likely not be that one. A second bout against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. or Tommy Fury is reportedly on the table, as he needs a win to continue building his name in the boxing industry.

On December 19, Anthony Joshua defeated Jake Paul via a dominant knockout victory in which the Briton fractured the influencer’s jaw. Ten days later, he was involved in a tragic car accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of his personal trainer, Latif Ayodele, and strength coach, Sina Ghami.

Now, Joshua has returned and is ready for his next test. Many are wondering who his next rival will be, with a rematch against Jake Paul on the table due to the YouTuber’s thirst for revenge.

Is Anthony Joshua going to fight Jake Paul again?

Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua have been training together ahead of their respective returns to the ring. The Ukrainian is set to make his WBC heavyweight title defense against kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven on May 23, 2026, in Egypt.

On the other hand, Anthony Joshua—who was trained by Usyk for the Jake Paul bout—is scheduled to fight again in July. However, reports suggest that a rematch against the influencer is not his priority right now.

When Joshua defeated Paul, it was clear that the influencer was not at the same level as the Briton, whose punches heavily injured Paul by causing a double fracture to his jaw to end the fight.

Tyson Fury remains an option for Anthony Joshua

Tyson Fury, another heavyweight star, has been strongly linked to a potential bout against Anthony Joshua. The ‘Gypsy King’ is set to return from retirement to fight Arslanbek Makhmudov on April 11, 2026, and Joshua could be his next challenge.

Fury recently stated that he wants to face Joshua, but he must first defeat Makhmudov. If he is successful, the British star would be the clear choice for his next test.

Some fans thought Paul might retire after the loss, which left him with a 12-2 record as a professional. Instead, he and his team are focused on making a strong return. The Most Valuable Promotions co-founder confirmed that Paul’s comeback is planned for the second half of 2026.

“He wants to come back,” Bidarian told Sky Sports. “He’s asking me to start negotiating some fights. Anywhere from August to November, you can expect Jake Paul back in the boxing ring. I want him to fight in the UK. That’s what I would love to see.”

Focus on recovery and preparation

Paul’s team is using the months ahead to ensure he fully recovers from his jaw injury and can train effectively. The goal is to put him in a strong position for a high-profile fight and give fans a chance to see him compete at his best.

He is also looking for the right opponent. Paul has shown he performs well in big fights, attracting attention from fans and media alike. The team wants to carefully plan his next matchup to maximize impact.

Tommy Fury rematch could be next

Ideally, Paul wants a rematch with Tommy Fury, who handed him his first professional loss in 2023. Bidarian highlighted that Paul has grown as a fighter and is ready to prove himself.

“I would love for that fight to happen because it’s a good measure of how far Jake has come,” Bidarian said. “There was more internet interest in Jake Paul vs. Tommy Fury in the UK than any Tyson Fury fight over the past five years, and even more than any Jake Paul fight besides Mike Tyson. If we could do it in the UK or Europe, fans would go crazy.”

Leading into the fight, Jake Paul had some early success, landing several punches in the opening rounds. However, Joshua’s experience soon took over, and the former heavyweight champion dominated the latter half of the bout, highlighting the significant skill gap between the two fighters.

White, speaking to Complex News, expressed disbelief that the fight was sanctioned at all. “It’s crazy that that fight was even allowed to happen. Crazy,” he said. The UFC President emphasized that while Paul has an impressive record in his 14 professional bouts, facing an Olympic gold medalist and two-time heavyweight champion was a clear mismatch.

Was Jake Paul set up for failure against Joshua?

White criticized the decision to even stage the fight, noting the inherent risk and disparity in experience. “To even comment on it, I think everybody that was involved in that thing should be embarrassed, number one. And number two, it’s just not what I am into,” he said.

Despite the loss, White acknowledged that Paul could continue fighting as long as the audience and promoters support him. “I mean, I don’t know. As long as people keep wanting to pay and watch him fight, I guess he can keep doing it. It’s just not what I do,” White added.

Paul’s recovery

Following the defeat, Paul suffered a broken jaw and remains in recovery, currently suspended from competition. Joshua’s dominant performance reinforced his standing as one of boxing’s elite, while Paul faces uncertainty about his future in professional boxing.

Jake Paul, who fought Joshua on December 19th, popped up on his social networks to send a heartfelt message to both the fighters and all parties involved. After all, rivalries are settled in the ring. “Life is much more important than boxing. I am praying for the lost lives, AJ and anyone impacted by today’s unfortunate accident,” Paul wrote on X.

According to BBC Sport, the 36-year-old boxer was driving on the Ogun-Lagos state expressway. The car crash left Joshua dealing with some minor injuries, but reports state he is “fine.” According to the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Lexus SUV where Joshua was travelling was going in excess of the speed limit, and lost control trying to overtake another vehicle. Joshua was in the rear of the car.

A few days ago, Joshua was putting on a show for the world to see

Just ten days ago, Joshua and Paul were involved in one of the most-watched boxing bouts of all time. Joshua found some early struggles, but with the ring rust gone, he started to push the pace and was able to knock Paul out with a straight right in the sixth round.

Paul, who is usually a very controversial figure, left his polarizing ways, and sent a heartfelt message to his former rival. This goes to show that rivalries are not meant to last. Life goes beyond what happens in the sport. Joshua will thankfully recover from the minor injuries suffered.

Joshua has massive fights on the horizon

It’s time to see if Joshua will take extra time off after this to get back in the ring or not. However, Joshua has massive fights -and paydays- on the horizon. A British superfight against legend Tyson Fury is on the works.

Joshua has a 29-4 record with 26 knockouts. As for Fury, he has a 34-2 record with 24 KOs to his name. The rumored pay for Joshua on this bout will be north of $50 million. Hence, it’s a massive opportunity for him.

As the rounds progressed, Joshua’s dominance became clear. The former champion landed 48 punches to Paul’s 16 and recorded three knockdowns in the sixth, ultimately breaking Paul’s jaw. Despite the dramatic outcome, Joshua remained measured when discussing Paul’s punching ability in the aftermath.

Speaking to Fight Hub TV, Joshua offered a succinct three‑word assessment: “It was alright.” He acknowledged that his own performance “could have been better” but focused on the result, adding, “We got there in the end.”

Did Jake Paul feel Joshua’s power?

Jake Paul also shared his perspective on Logan Paul’s Impaulsive podcast. Reflecting on the fight, he said, “He was imposing his will on me and being massive, and the big shots landing, it goes downhill from there.” He described the jaw injury as “like a baseball in there. Four titanium plates. How many do you have?” Logan replied, “Just one.”

Despite the brutal outcome, Paul admitted the experience was valuable: “It’s a great experience overall to be in there with somebody that’s that good. I learned a lot.”

What comes next for both fighters?

Both fighters showed mutual respect after the bout, signaling that lessons were taken from the matchup. Joshua’s decisive performance reinforced his standing in the heavyweight division, while Paul gained insight into elite-level boxing.