Former World Champion Delivers Verdict on Possible Showdown Between Anthony Joshua and ‘Mastermind’ Jake Paul
‘The Problem Child’ has been taking boxing media by storm with claims that he will fight former unified world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in 2026.
While it may still be seen as an unlikely scenario, Eddie Hearn has confirmed talks of the ‘mismatch’, and in a recent interview, has said the American is now the likely ‘front-runner’ for the heavyweight’s next fight.
Joshua’s trainer believes the clash is ‘dangerous’ for the 28-year-old novice, but it hasn’t stopped Paul’s team at Most Valuable Promotions from meeting with Matchroom to try and work out a deal for what could be a massive showdown in monetary terms
The fight has been compared to the 2017 fight between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor for the amount of money on offer, plus the likely spectacle of the show.
However, the ex-YouTube star does not have the same fighting pedigree as the former UFC champion.
While it may seem an extraordinary conversation to be happening, former world cruiserweight champion Johnny Nelson can’t help but praise ‘El Gallo’ for staying in the limelight.
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Nelson spoke to Boxing King Media about the ongoing saga of the fight and explained: “I think the kid has kidded the kidders, as in Jake Paul (is a) genius. Now you’re talking Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua in the same sentence.
“Do I think it’ll happen? No, I don’t. But Jake Paul’s done the job. He’s got the whole world talking about Jake Paul, a domestic fighter, fighting a former two-time heavyweight champion of the world.”
Paul is no stranger to getting the boxing world talking; his fight with 58-year-old Mike Tyson was hugely controversial, and, most recently, he squared off with Oleksandr Usyk after his fight with Daniel Dubois.
The longest-reigning cruiserweight champion of all time would not blame AJ for taking the money, but it would tell us where Joshua’s head is at in terms of competing at the highest level.
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“So, if by some miracle it does happen, that tells me AJ is cashing… With something big like we’re talking 250 million, I’d do it if I were AJ at this stage of his career and getting paid that kind of dough,” Nelson said.
“Jake Paul has played a blinder. It’s not going to happen. And if it does, then you know, AJ is basically saying, ‘Thank you, (I’m) gone’.”
‘The Entertainer’ may be right that the bout won’t take place, but if it does, UK fans won’t be able to experience it live in the country.
Even though ‘El Gallo’ had mentioned on the Usyk vs Dubois rematch broadcast that he would like it to take place in Wembley Stadium, the British Boxing Board of Control would likely not sanction the bout.
According to Sky Sports, there is ‘no guarantee’ the BBBofC will give Paul a professional license due to a lack of in-ring experience against a dangerous heavyweight.
After meetings in New York at the weekend, no further news on the bout has come out from either camp, but with fight week in Riyadh, expect Hearn to provide more update
