Joshua will fight Paul – Hearn

Boxing Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed that talks are underway for a sensational bout between Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul, with the proposed fight receiving backing from Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority chairman, Turki Alalshikh

In an interview with Boxing News during the Ring III official weigh-in, Hearn revealed that discussions have taken a serious turn following a recent conversation with Alalshikh, the key figure behind many high-profile boxing events in Saudi Arabia.

“After speaking to His Excellency last night… in this mad world that we live in, I wouldn’t be surprised,” Hearn said when asked about the possibility of Joshua facing YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul.

The potential bout, which had previously been dismissed as fantasy matchmaking, now seems to have traction following Paul’s call-out of Joshua earlier this year. In March, the American provocateur claimed he would knock out the former heavyweight champion, sparking interest and speculation.

Paul later revealed during a press conference in April that Joshua had reached out to him privately, further fuelling the rumour mill.

“Our focus is to fight Tyson Fury, but (Joshua) needs a fight before then. If that’s Jake Paul and if you guys want that fight, I know the numbers would be massive, the world would want to see it,” Hearn said.

He also claimed that Joshua himself is open to the idea.

“I spoke to AJ about it, and he said, ‘If you want me to flatten Jake Paul, I’ll do it.’ And I know there will be a lot of happy people, but that’s what Mr Paul dines off,” Hearn added.

Joshua has been out of the ring since suffering a shock defeat to Daniel Dubois earlier in the year, and while he continues to eye a blockbuster bout with Tyson Fury, Hearn admitted the 34-year-old needs a tune-up fight before any title challenge.

Despite Hearn’s enthusiasm, Matchroom CEO Frank Smith struck a more cautious tone when speaking with Ariel Helwani recently. “I think there’s a chance you’ll see Anthony Joshua this year,” Smith said but dismissed Jake Paul as a likely opponent.

“It’s not Jake Paul. I think if I were Anthony Joshua and I got an opportunity to fight a guy—that was a Disney star a few years back, no longer,” Smith said.

Addressing Paul’s frequent call-outs, Smith added, “(Fighting AJ) is very different from fighting a 60-year-old Mike Tyson. Let’s be completely realistic about it.”