Here’s what we know so far about the Anthony Joshua vs. Jake Paul.
Reports that emerged Wednesday night insisting that Joshua was finalizing a fight with Paul, the YouTuber-turned-boxer, shocked the boxing community.
This would mean the two-time world heavyweight champion would share the ring with a comparable newcomer.
But promoter Eddie Hearn set the record straight.
What’s the latest? Will Anthony Joshua fight Jake Paul?
Despite Wednesday’s reports, nothing is certain yet, Hearn explained.
Hearn told BBC 5 Live about the Joshua-Paul fight: “Possibly. Everyone jumped in last night.”
Paul was scheduled to fight Gervonta Davis this month, but it was canceled. While looking for a up-to-date opponent, he mentioned the extraordinary fight with Joshua.
“This is the most unsafe fight for me right now,” Paul previously told ESPN.
His advisor Nakisa Bidarian added: “Joshua is undoubtedly the fight he wants and I will do it for him.”
Hearn told ESPN earlier this week that the Joshua vs. Paul has not been agreed, confirming: “No, we have had some discussions.
“If we were going to get it, a matchup with Jake Paul would be pretty nice.
“I’m not sure [Paul] Is that crazy? Perhaps, but there is nothing of substance to report at this stage. But I know they will decide what they will do. Hearn insisted that if Joshua does step into the ring in 2025 for a low-key tune-up, it won’t be against a high-profile opponent.
“If he fights this year, you probably won’t even hear about it unless it’s Jake Paul.”
Joshua hasn’t fought since being knocked out by Daniel Dubois last year, but Hearn cited a shocking quick turnaround and a modest comeback in December. The fight in Africa was discussed and the door was left open to a meeting with Paul.
As of Thursday, neither Joshua nor Paul have their next opponent confirmed. Hearn admitted that talks had taken place. But no agreement has been reached yet.
Would Anthony Joshua vs. Jake Paul be an exhibition fight?
It’s unconfirmed, but Paul has already fought with heavyweights under changed rules.
When he met Mike Tyson in the ring, they wore 14-ounce gloves instead of the typical 12-ounce ones, fought for two-minute rounds instead of three, and went the distance of eight rounds instead of 10 or 12.
The difference in size between Joshua and Paul would be extraordinary.
Paul competed at 200 pounds, but Joshua’s last fight weight was 56 pounds heavier. Joshua is also 120 pounds heavier and a foot taller than Paul’s original opponent, Davis.
Will Anthony Joshua fight Tyson Fury?
The next stage of Joshua’s career is building a direction for the fight against Fury. It would be the culmination of this great era of heavyweight boxing in the UK.
The involvement of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority chairman Turki Alalshikh means the Joshua vs. Fury could finally happen next year, says Hearn.
“The only person who will take this fight is Turki Alalshikh,” Hearn previously told ESPN.
“That is the reality because the amount of money Tyson Fury would get and the way this deal has to come together makes him perfectly positioned and primed to fight this fight.”
He told talkSPORT on Thursday: “Next year we will fight in February and then we will fight Tyson Fury if Turki Alalshikh implements his plans and strategies.
“We spoke to him this week in London. Everything we do with Anthony Joshua will be in line with Turki Alalshikh and under his guidance. He has given us incredible opportunities. The game plan will be established with him.”
“It’s Turki Alalshikh’s responsibility to talk to Tyson Fury and try to make a deal. I can’t say we’re fighting Tyson Fury.
“I can tell you that Turki Alalshikh told us, ‘I’m going to do AJ against Tyson Fury. This is your deal. Do you accept?’
“We agreed. Has the fight been made? No. Because I don’t know where he stands with Tyson Fury. All I know is that he hasn’t made the fight yet.”
However, former WBC champion Fury insists he will remain retired.
“I could go back to boxing at any time, but I just don’t want to,” Fury told YouTube channel FurociTV.
“I have no interest in even screaming about the spotlight.
“You could offer me £1 billion today and it wouldn’t move the needle, it wouldn’t get me going. Because I was past the point where I cared what people thought.”
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