Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua could be stepping back into the ring against one of boxing’s most talked-about personalities — YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul.
Joshua, 36, has not fought since suffering a fifth-round stoppage against fellow Brit Daniel Dubois last September. Rumors have been swirling about his next opponent, and many outlets reported that a Joshua vs Paul fight was all but confirmed. But according to Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, the reality is a little more complicated.
“Everyone has jumped the gun,” Hearn told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast. “Our focus is on 2026. We have a big fight planned for February and hopefully against Tyson Fury next year. Nothing is confirmed yet.”
Talks between Joshua and Paul have indeed taken place, but any bout is likely to be an exhibition rather than a professional match, due to the huge difference in experience between the two fighters.
Paul, 28, recently had an exhibition bout scheduled against Gervonta Davis, which was canceled following a lawsuit filed against Davis. The cancellation has only fueled speculation that the Joshua fight could become the next high-profile event for the social media star.
Joshua is no stranger to the spotlight. He won his first world title, the IBF belt, in 2016, and went on to collect the WBA and WBO titles before suffering a shocking defeat to Andy Ruiz Jr in 2019. He reclaimed those belts later that year, defended them against Kubrat Pulev, but then lost back-to-back fights to Oleksandr Usyk.
Since then, Joshua had been on a winning streak until the devastating loss to Dubois left his record at 28 wins and 4 defeats and his future under intense scrutiny.
Jake Paul, now 12-1 as a professional boxer, has been one of the most controversial figures in the sport. His only defeat came against Tommy Fury in 2023. He has only fought heavyweight once before, a points victory over a then 58-year-old Mike Tyson in 2024.
A fight against Joshua would mark his biggest challenge yet and could generate tens of millions of dollars in revenue — especially if it becomes a widely publicized exhibition bout.
While nothing is finalized, boxing fans around the world are already imagining the spectacle. Could Joshua return to glory against a social media sensation, or will this be a fun, star-studded exhibition? Either way, it’s a matchup that’s capturing headlines and imaginations alike.
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