Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul could become one of the biggest crossover bouts in boxing history, with Eddie Hearn revealing talks are already under way.
The former two-time heavyweight champion has not fought since his knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois last September.
Now 35, Joshua underwent elbow surgery in May and is targeting a return to the ring in 2026. Facing YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul has emerged as a serious option for Joshua’s next opponent.
“At first I thought it was a publicity stunt from Jake,” Hearn told BBC Sport.
“Now the more I speak to them the more I actually understand, Jake Paul thinks he can beat Anthony Joshua. This is a step too far.
“So be careful what you wish for, because this isn’t a game. This isn’t YouTube. This isn’t Disney. This is the danger zone.”
Paul, 28, has shaken up the sport since making his debut. He has called out major names, including Oleksandr Usyk, suffered just one loss to Tommy Fury, and has mostly fought at cruiserweight. Joshua has spent his career at heavyweight, facing the likes of Wladimir Klitschko, Alexander Povetkin, Joseph Parker, and Usyk.
Hearn believes the fight could be staged in a major US stadium. “Probably right up there [as his biggest fight purse],” he said. “The more dangerous the fight, the bigger you expect the purse to be, or to reflect that. This is actually the opposite. It might be AJ’s easiest ever fight and potentially his biggest payday.”
Paul’s most recent bout came in June, beating Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. to earn a No. 14 spot in the WBA cruiserweight rankings. The result fuelled talk of a move to heavyweight for a blockbuster showdown with Joshua.
Organizers floated Wembley Stadium as a possible venue, but the British Boxing Board of Control may block the fight from being sanctioned in the UK.
“Organizers would have to apply to the British Boxing Board of Control to consider,” Hearn told Sky Sports. “Fight would likely take place in the US.”
Despite the uncertainty, Hearn insists the talks are real and the matchup could happen in 2026. If confirmed, it would pit Joshua’s world-class pedigree against Paul’s crossover appeal in one of the most polarizing events the sport has seen.
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