Anthony Joshua Eyes Jake Paul Bout Before Tyson Fury Clash in 2026

Anthony Joshua is reportedly negotiating a potential fight against Jake Paul before setting his sights on a highly anticipated match against Tyson Fury in 2026. This news comes from Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, who revealed the discussions during an interview with Sky Sports News.

Joshua has not entered the ring since his defeat to Daniel Dubois in September 2023. He underwent elbow surgery in May and is aiming for a return to boxing later in 2025. Meanwhile, Paul has been making waves in the boxing world, recently securing victories over legends like Mike Tyson and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in his transition from YouTube star to professional athlete.

Negotiations Underway for Joshua-Paul Fight

Following his unanimous decision win against Chavez last month, Paul expressed interest in facing Joshua. He has reportedly met with Turki Alalshikh, a prominent figure in the boxing community, to facilitate this matchup. Hearn stated, “Turki came in and said, ‘I’m going to make that fight.'” This statement underscores the seriousness of the discussions.

Despite Paul’s manager asserting that the decision of who Paul fights rests solely with them, Hearn remains optimistic. “I’ve got a smaller ego in this situation, which is quite remarkable,” he remarked. Hearn confirmed that while they are focused on the ultimate goal of a Joshua-Fury fight, they recognize the need for a bout before that, as Fury is unlikely to face Joshua before spring or summer of 2026.

Fury, currently retired from boxing, has hinted at a potential return. Hearn is eager to see Joshua back in action soon, emphasizing the importance of Joshua’s return after nearly a year away from the sport. “AJ has been out [of action] for coming up to a year in September, so we definitely want to fight again,” he added.

Paul’s Rising Profile in Boxing

Though Paul initially gained fame through social media, he has established himself as a formidable opponent in the ring, boasting a record of 12 wins since turning professional in 2020. His only setback came against Tommy Fury in 2023. However, he has since triumphed over notable fighters, including former UFC star Nate Diaz and professional boxers Andre August and Ryan Bourland.

Hearn acknowledged that a fight between Joshua and Paul was never anticipated but noted its potential appeal. “If you want Jake Paul to be the warm-up fight for Fury – and obviously, financially, it’s a great opportunity for AJ – then maybe AJ would oblige,” he explained. Hearn is realistic about the fight’s dynamics, stating, “Jake’s a big, strong cruiserweight. I don’t think he’s particularly competitive, but we know a lot of people would watch it.”

While Hearn is optimistic about the financial implications of such a fight, he doesn’t downplay the competitive nature of boxing. “I think he gets flattened ASAP, but there’ll be a huge amount of people globally that would want to watch that,” he said. The discussions with Alalshikh have opened the door for this unusual matchup, and Hearn’s comments suggest that if the conditions are right, Joshua may indeed face Paul next.

As the boxing world watches closely, the potential clash between Joshua and Paul presents both a unique spectacle and a significant moment in Joshua’s career as he aims to reclaim his standing in the heavyweight division.