Promoter Eddie Hearn may have trouble moving forward with his plans for Anthony Joshua in 2026 if he loses to Jake Paul next month on December 19. He says Paul (12-1, 7 KO) is “going to pieces,” but things may not turn out the way he hopes.
Why Joshua can’t afford to slip
Joshua (28-4, 25 KO) is taking this fight for the money and to boost his visibility before a possible fight with Tyson Fury in 2026. The buzz the fight with Jake will create around the world could motivate “The Gyspy King” to come out of retirement and face AJ to enjoy the spotlight and the huge purse he will receive.
“I don’t think there’s a chance. I think he’s going to get blown to pieces,” said promoter Eddie Hearn Fighting Hub TV about how Jake Paul has no chance against Anthony Joshua on December 19. “We got a huge offer for a really simple fight.”
Impact resistance: a real problem
Hearn looks at Joshua based on memories of him from the past, 10 years ago, when he knocked everyone out. He is not the same warrior anymore. His punch resistance disappeared due to the bulky knockouts he suffered against Andy Ruiz Jr. and Daniel Dubois. Jake could operate the shell of what’s left of Joshua.
“I love the opportunity AJ gives on so many levels. I think it’s an simple fight. It’s a massive profile, especially in the US,” Hearn said.
AJ chases Fury’s attention again
“So we can go back to 2026 with Turki Alalshikh ready and hopefully with plans to fight Tyson Fury. But in the meantime we have to throw up our hands, go out there, build a profile a little bit, blow Jake Paul away, make a fortune and move on,” Hearn said.
The fight with Fury is much more complicated than Hearn realizes. Not only does Joshua have to defeat Paul, but he may have to appear vulnerable to some extent. If he looks too good, he might scare Fury.
Joshua’s trick: look good, but not too good
- Look defeated in your victory over Paul
- Turki Alalshikh offers Furia a fortune
- Joshua-Paul arouses great interest around the world
“It will be a fight in February and then hopefully Tyson Fury. It’s not up to us. It’s Turki Alalshikh. We are committed, but Tyson has to be in the fight too,” Hearn said of his hope that Fury will fight Joshua in 2026.
“This fight with Jake Paul will give us momentum from a profile perspective, which is what will make this fight so substantial. There is a method to this madness, apart from an simple fight for a lot of money,” Hearn said of how he used the fight with Paul to boost Joshua’s popularity heading into what he hopes will be a clash with Fury next year.