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Just a couple of days after we heard Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul was in the works for next month, the whole thing is now in doubt.

Anthony Joshua issues coy response after Jake Paul's shock call-out for fight | talkSPORT

The boxing world went into meltdown on Wednesday with the news that Joshua and Paul were in talks over a fight in Miami in December, to be streamed live globally on Netflix.

Predictably, the news met with excitement from casuals and groans from hardcore fight fans tired of seeing these ‘crossover events’. This would of course pit a two-time world heavyweight champion against a Youtuber with just 13 fights on his resume.

The aftermath of that first report (from Mike Coppinger of Ring magazine) was followed by promoter Eddie Hearn claiming it was ‘premature’. Hearn said while the two sides have talked, they were not close to a deal.

Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson Press Conference Netflix New York May 13 2024

JUST IN: Huge Update For Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua as Turki Alalshikh

Now we have another major update, and it suggests the bout may not be happening before the end of this year. Remember Jake had been scheduled to meet lightweight (yes, lightweight) Gervonta Davis in Atlanta this very weekend, so he needs a replacement opponent.

Jake Paul on Joshua fight

It was the 28-year-old ‘Problem Child’ who provided the update this morning, as he posted a frustrated message on social media.

It read quite simply “not holding my breath for 2025. Too many yes men.”

Now you can make of that what you will, but it definitely sounds like there are potential blockers to Jake meeting AJ inside a boxing ring next month. Time is very short to get a show of that magnitude in place.

TV details a blocker?

Of course we do not know at this stage what those blockers could be, but the actual TV details for the fight could potentially be one. Remember that Joshua is exclusively signed to DAZN, so wouldn’t he need their blessing to fight on Netflix?

AJ has not fought since September 2024, when his bid to become a three-time world heavyweight champion ended in a fifth-round knockout defeat by Daniel Dubois at London’s Wembley Stadium.

Huge news as Turki Alalshikh vows to deliver British megafight at last

Anthony Joshua Turki Alalshikh Press Conference vs Ngannou

We’ve waited for so long, we’ve had our hearts broken so many times, as boxing fans it is always the hope that kills you.

But despite the disappointment we’ve felt on so many occasions, we once again have reason to believe that Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua will happen at last in 2026.

This is a bout that should have happened in 2021, with both men at the peak of their powers and both owning world heavyweight titles. They actually signed a two-fight deal with the first match set for August 21 – with the undisputed title on the line.

Anthony Joshua Eddie Hearn vs Daniel Dubois Press Conference

READ: Why Anthony Joshua risks ruining legacy with Jake Paul fight

But then up popped Deontay Wilder to win an arbitration ruling to force a third fight against Fury, Joshua rerouted to face Oleksandr Usyk and lost his titles in the process. And the golden opportunity disappeared.

There have been more false starts since when a fight looked possible, but now it is without doubt the biggest fight left for either man. Once which surely is necessary to put a bow on this particular heavyweight era.

Neither man of course holds a world heavyweight title right now – Usyk owns all of the marbles in the sport’s marquee weight class – but a meeting of the two Brits is still expected to earn each man north of £50m for one night’s work.

As of now Joshua is preparing to return after elbow surgery, while Fury appears to be happily retired since January 2025. But never say never in heavyweight boxing, and that is because one Turki Alalshikh is on the case.

The 44-year-old Chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority has rewritten boxing history in the last two years, making fights which had before seemed impossible. Circumventing boxing politics to usher in a new era of megafights.

Fury vs Joshua might be the biggest one left on his ‘to do list’, and this week Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed that Alalshikh is making it his mission to ensure that the all-British blockbuster does happen in 2026.

Hearn on Fury vs Joshua

Hearn explained that the plan with Alalshikh is for two Joshua fights in 2026 – one of them being that Fury blockbuster. The first a tune-up. Of course this was before all that talk of AJ fighting Jake Paul next month.

He told talkSPORT: “I don’t know if we will fight Jake Paul yet, but next year we will fight in February and then we will fight Tyson Fury, if Turki Alalshikh delivers on his plans and strategies.

“We spoke with him in London this week – everything we do with Anthony Joshua will be in accordance with, and under the guidance of, Turki Alalshikh. He has given us amazing opportunities and the game plan will be put together with him.”

So there you have it, a clear plan for Fury vs Joshua to meet in 2026. But hang on, isn’t Fury happily retired?

Hearn does not believe Turki will fail

Hearn added: “It’s Turki Alalshikh’s responsibility to talk to Tyson Fury and try and make the deal. I can’t tell you we’re fighting Tyson Fury. What I can tell you is, Turki Alalshikh has told us ‘I am going to make AJ v Tyson Fury, this is your deal, do you accept?’. We have accepted.

“Is the fight made? No, because I don’t know where he’s at with Tyson Fury. All I know is he’s yet to fail in delivering a fight. If AJ doesn’t fight Tyson Fury, Turki Alalshikh has failed to make the fight. It will be on him, and I don’t believe he will fail.

“I believe you will see AJ against Tyson Fury in 2026.”

So what happens next? Yes Fury says he’s happily retired, and why would anybody not believe him? But this is the fight game, he’s a fighting man and these guys are called prizefighters for a reason.

If you ask us to predict what happens next, the cheque Turki offers is a massive one, big enough to tempt just about anybody out of retirement.

Fury vs Joshua finally happens in 2026. It has to, and it will.

Terence Crawford Urged To Make ‘One Of The Biggest Fights In History’ Against Undefeated Rival

Terence Crawford has been urged to pursue a showdown with one unbeaten star in particular as he gears up for the next chapter in his career.

The pound-for-pound great from Omaha entered the boxing history books once again back in September when he became the undisputed super-middleweight champion with a victory over Canelo Alvarez.

‘Bud’ Crawford put on a stellar display against the Mexican superstar at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, defeating him via unanimous decision at the conclusion of their monumental showdown.

Terence Crawford Urged To Make ‘One Of The Biggest Fights In History’ Against Undefeated Rival

JUST IN: Why Anthony Joshua risks ruining legacy with Jake Paul fight

With reports suggesting that the 38-year-old could make the move back down in weight ahead of his next ring appearance, Crawford has been urged to target a match-up with former unified world welterweight champion Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis, who has emerged as one of the brightest talents in boxing.

Speaking to Fight Hub TV, Ennis’ father and trainer Bozy shared his verdict on a potential clash between ‘Boots’ and Crawford, which he says would be one of the ‘biggest fights in boxing history’.

“Well Boots and Crawford, that would be one of the biggest fights in history man. When it comes to styles, both of them, they have beautiful styles man. They both switch and they both can do it all.

“Crawford will fight you. He just showed everybody he’ll fight you too. Boots will fight you inside and outside. When you got heart like that, that’s what you do, and Crawford does the same thing.”

‘Boots’ made his debut at 154lbs last month when he stopped Uisma Lima in the opening round of their bout in Philadelphia, where he became the WBA interim super-welterweight champion.

The unbeaten 28-year-old is reportedly in negotiations for a fight with countryman Vergil Ortiz Jr, who currently holds the WBC interim title at 154lbs. The American duo recently faced-off for the first time, just moments after Ortiz defeated Erickson Lubin on November 8.

Anthony Joshua is under fire for negotiating a fight with Jake Paul.

Ex-heavyweight champion Joshua and YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul are reportedly ‘finalising terms’ for a fight in Miami this December.

The news was quickly met with criticism from both fans and the boxing fraternity.

One man who has made his stance on the rumoured match-up clear is talkSPORT boxing expert Gareth A Davies.

Joshua is 28-4 as a pro and 25 of his wins have come by way of knockout

READ: Eddie Hearn Pours Cold Water On Jake Paul-Anthony Joshua Fight News

He told talkBOXING: “This should not be commissioned. Jake Paul is the level of an area champion, he might not even win an area title in the UK.

“Anthony Joshua is a very dangerous heavyweight.

“They’re going to Florida, because it will be in Miami, and they’re a very lenient commission.

“This fight should not be licensed. It’s dangerous for Jake Paul.”

He added: “I don’t want to see a man decapitated in Miami in December.

“This affects Joshua’s legacy. He can’t have this legacy and fight Tyson Fury next. I’m really shocked.”

Ex-professional boxer added Spencer Oliver: “The fans won’t like this, but Joshua will see it as an easy money grab.

“At this stage in his career, should he be taking this fight? No.”

Would Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul be a dangerous fight?

Paul has the advantage of recent activity, as Joshua has been out of action since Daniel Dubois knocked him out in 2024.

But before his 14 months on the sideline, Joshua claimed wins over the likes of Wladimir Klitschko and Joseph Parker.

While Paul has had 13 professional fights, he has only shared the ring with opponents who are older, smaller or less powerful than 6ft 6ins powerhouse Joshua.

Should this go ahead, Joshua would certainly be the toughest challenge yet for the YouTuber-turned-boxer – and his biggest risk of being knocked-out or seriously injured.

What has Anthony Joshua’s team had to say about the match-up?

Matchroom’s Frank Smith, who helps promote Joshua, was asked on talkSPORT Breakfast whether he agrees that it would be a dangerous fight for Paul.

Smith said: “You have to give Jake Paul credit for what he’s doing and what he’s done in the sport.

“He has taken it seriously.

“So if the fight does happen, fair play to Jake Paul. But I’m sure they are looking at a number of options that may be a bit easier for Jake.”

Despite his clear disadvantage, Paul seems confident that he could knock Joshua out and is welcoming the challenge to prove himself.

Meanwhile, Joshua is facing scrutiny for even entertaining the idea of risking his reputation to fight the American.

What else has been said?

Should they actually end up sharing the ring, talkSPORT’s Simon Jordan thinks that Joshua’s legacy is already ‘sealed’.

He said: “Anthony Joshua is an entertainer and you can’t undo the fact that he won the world heavyweight championship twice.

There are stark differences between the rivals' stats

“He fought in some great fights.

“He is in the business of entertainment, if an opportunity is presented to him and someone wants to say ‘we can monetise this’ to the huge levels that are potentially available, why wouldn’t you?

“It’s a walk in the park.”

Jordan continued to question both the legitimacy and the safety of the potential fight.

He added: “Is it right, or appropriate, that a high-performing supreme athlete like Anthony Joshua, who’s only real challenges now are probably in his mind, because physically he could operate at the highest level if he still chose to, should be stepping in against someone like Jake Paul?

“That does not have the skillset to deal with the kind of power and expertise that Anthony Joshua has, and should boxing be sanctioning this?”

Phoning up to have their say, one boxing fan simply told talkSPORT: “If this fight goes ahead, it’s going to be the biggest mockery in boxing.”

On November 12, Mike Coppinger of Ring Magazine made an X post that read, “Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul are finalizing a deal for a heavyweight fight on Netflix in December in Miami, sources tell @ringmagazine. Paul steps up massively to fight the former heavyweight champion after his exhibition with Gervonta Davis was cancelled. Major props to Paul.”

Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul Bombshell Drops as Date 'Confirmed' for Fight

This has been the biggest news of the boxing world by far ever since it was announced. While there had been reports that Paul’s team was reaching out to several big-name boxers in order to try and get a Netflix fight in before the end of 2025, many were skeptical that they would be able to pull it off.

Eddie Hearn after the WBC Interim World Flyweight bout at the BP Pulse Live on November 30, 2024.

JUST IN: Canelo Alvarez offered new world title shot ‘to chase greatness’

Few believed that Paul would really be willing to step into the ring against an Olympic gold medalist and former heavyweight world champion like Anthony Joshua, especially on short notice.

However, Paul has seemingly proved a lot of people wrong. And while many are predicting that Paul will get knocked out by Joshua if this fight report is indeed true, Paul deserves a lot of credit for fighting a guy who is 100 pounds heavier and a foot taller than Gervonta.

Jake Paul is closing in to strike Julio Chavez Jr.'s face at the Honda Center in Anaheim California on June 29th, 2025.

Eddie Hearn Shuts Down Idea That Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua Is Done

Joshua is promoted by Eddie Hearn of Matchroom, who has gone on the record in the past saying that he and Paul’s team have been negotiating a potential bout between these two. However, Hearn seems to have taken exception to Wednesday’s fight report, which was conveyed by Ariel Helwani during a November 12 episode of The Ariel Helwani Show.

“In the midst of all this [Paul vs. Joshua fight reporting], I did reach out to Eddie Hearn,” Helwani said, per an X post from Jed I. Goodman. “And he said, ‘We have spoken, but nothing close. And I doubt he would be so crazy.’ He, being Jake.

“I then asked him, ‘Would you say this report is premature?’ [Hearn] said, ‘Absolutely’.

Therefore, it sounds like this fight is not finalized and that both sides are negotiating. Hearn didn’t seem to appreciate the timing of Coppinger’s announcement, as now it seems that both sides would need to come to terms unless they want the boxing world at their respective throats.

It will be interesting to see when this fight is finalized, and whether it does end up taking place in December like Paul’s team has wanted.

Despite losing to Terence Crawford in September, it would seem that Canelo Alvarez still has a number of lucrative options for his next outing.

Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez to face Gennady Golovkin in trilogy fight on  September 17 | Boxing News | Sky Sports

The former two-time undisputed king entered his last assignment as a sizeable favourite, only to find that Crawford, the considerably smaller man, had far too many tricks up his sleeve.

As a result, Canelo lost his super-middleweight crown, which he had reclaimed with a win over William Scull earlier this year, via a unanimous decision.

Canelo Alvarez Names The Top 5 Greatest Fighters Of All Time - Seconds Out

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Immediately after suffering his third professional defeat, though, the 35-year-old maintained his desire to not only remain in the sport, but further enhance his already illustrious career.

And now, it seems, he could soon secure the opportunity to do just that, albeit away from his more familiar territory at 168lbs.

For years, Canelo’s name has been linked with that of David Benavidez and, even now, fans are still clamouring to see the pair lock horns.

But while it is a matchup that seems to make perfect sense, Canelo has never quite reciprocated Benavidez’s enthusiasm for the potential showdown.

The two were first mentioned in the same breath when they were both campaigning at 168lbs but, since then, Benavidez has become the WBC light-heavyweight champion.

Since moving up in weight, the 28-year-old has amassed points victories over Oleksandr Gvozdyk and David Morrell, with his next assignment, against Anthony Yarde, headlining a card in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on November 22.

And yet, while remaining focused on the task at hand, Benavidez has invited Canelo to move back up to 175 and challenge him for his belt.

“I haven’t given up complete hope in that fight. I feel like, until he retires, and he’s out of the sport of boxing, there’s always going to be a possibility of that fight being made.

At the end of the day, what other fights are left for Canelo? Now, it seems like I’ve got the cards

 

in my hands: He doesn’t have any belts at 168[lbs].

I have a belt at 175[lbs], and I’m planning on getting all the belts at 175[lbs].

[Canelo] says he’s chasing greatness. He did what he did at 168[lbs], so now, why not come up to 175[lbs] and do the same thing?”

Benavidez’s clash with Yarde takes place next weekend, on a bill that also features Brian Norman Jr defending his WBO welterweight title against Devin Haney.

Mike Tyson insists a severe case of foot fungus is “kicking his a***”.

The former undisputed heavyweight champion had been suffering from the infection in silence, but opened up about his struggles during a Tuesday night taping of Jimmy Kimmel Live.

Kimmel picked up on the fact that Tyson never wears socks and so asked him why.

“I only used to [not wear socks] for fighting, where that was my image,” Tyson replied.

Mike Tyson fights during LIVE On Netflix: Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson at AT&T Stadium on November 15, 2024 in Arlington, Texas

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“It was real hardcore, no socks. Then I discovered I had a very disintegrating dose of foot fungus.

“And it was really bad. It’s still really bad now.”

Kimmel then quipped: “Would you say that foot fungus is your greatest opponent of all?”

To which, Tyson joked: “Well, I would have to say so because it’s still kicking my a*** now.”

Foot fungus can traditionally be treated with creams, sprays and powders from a pharmacy.

However, Tyson insists he has tried these methods to no avail.

“Desenex cannot help me,” added Tyson. “My toes look like they blew up.”

Mike Tyson slapped Jake Paul after stepping on his toes

During the final face-off for his comeback fight with Jake Paul last November, Tyson slapped the YouTuber-turned-boxer after he stepped on his toes.

Tyson slapped Paul during their face-off on Thursday as tempers flared

There appeared to be minimal contact from Paul, but Tyson’s latest admission explains why he flipped out.

“I was in my socks and he had on shoes,” Tyson told The Post moments after the weigh-in.

“He stepped on my toe because he is a f****** a***hole. I wanted to think it happened by accident.

“But now I think it may have happened on purpose. I was in a lot of pain. I had to reciprocate.”

Will Mike Tyson box again?

Boxing fans had hoped that Tyson’s bout with Paul would be his last.

However, the 59-year-old has since announced an upcoming exhibition bout with Floyd Mayweather.

Despite the shock-factor, Mayweather vs Tyson is anticipated to bring in huge numbers

Details on the exact date and venue were not confirmed, although it has been earmarked for Spring 2026.

Las Vegas and Saudi Arabia are said to be the potential locations in the running, with CSI Sports/Fight Sports set to stage the event.

Floyd Mayweather Is Relieved He Never Shared The Ring With One Champion

Undefeated boxing icon Floyd Mayweather recently revealed his relief at dodging a showdown with one former world champion in particular

‘Money’ Mayweather crossed paths with many of the greatest fighters of his generation during his glittering professional career, becoming a world champion in no less than five weight classes along the way.

The Michigan-native walked away from the sport with an unblemished record of 50-0 to his name, defeating the likes of Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, Shane Mosley, Oscar De La Hoya and Manny Pacquiao to name just a few.

Floyd Mayweather Is Relieved He Never Shared The Ring With One Champion: “It Didn’t Make Sense”

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One man that Mayweather did not end up crossing paths with during his career was three-time welterweight champion Antonio Margarito, who became the subject of a controversial situation involving his hand wraps ahead of his 2009 showdown with Mosley.

In a resurfaced interview with Fight Hype, Mayweather admitted that he was relieved to have not faced Margarito during his tenure, although he claims that he was ‘never afraid’ of ‘The Tijuana Tornado’.

“Antonio Margarito said over and over again that I was afraid of him. He was pressing, and he wanted to fight so badly, because he was beating fighters with loaded gloves (with ‘casts’), so I’m glad God didn’t let that fight happen. Because you don’t know what kind of effect it would have had on me.

“Those (punches) would have wreaked havoc after my boxing career was over. He could have ended up killing me in the ring, you don’t know what could happen. So sometimes you have certain signals (to face fighters or not), I was never afraid of him and at that particular moment it didn’t make sense for us to fight.”

Whilst he enjoyed considerable success during his career, where he became a world welterweight champion several times, Margarito found himself a villain when he was caught using illegal hand wraps before his world title defence against Mosley in 2009.

Margarito would go on to suffer a ninth round stoppage defeat to ‘Sugar Shane’ following this, surrendering his WBA welterweight title at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Matchroom chairman Eddie Hearn, who is the career-long promoter of Anthony Joshua, has commented on the mounting speculation that the former two-time heavyweight boxing champion will square-off with Jake Paul for a bout tentatively planned for December on Netflix.

The American, a former influencer who has emerged as an improbable face for the sport, if not crossover boxing at least, was scheduled to take part in an exhibition alongside Gervonta Davis on the 14th of November. However, the event at the Kaseya Center in Miami was nixed at the eleventh hour due to Tank’s apparent legal issues. With the cancellation so close to the event itself, Most Valuable Promotions chose to cancel the entire thing rather than bring in a late replacement. After getting rebuffed in their efforts to lure Francis Ngannou back to the ring, the focus now, it seems, is Joshua.

And, speaking to Boxing News, Hearn has had his say on whether the fight will go down as planned.

Eddie Hearn and Anthony Joshua

READ: Negotiation Details: Why Anthony Joshua Could Replace Davis in Fight with Jake Paul

Joshua and Paul were linked with one another earlier in the year, but the 28-year-old chose to close a deal with Davis, despite eight inches in height and more than 75 pounds in weight between them. Now, AJ appears to be firmly back in the mix.

Speaking to Boxing News, Hearn confirmed “we’ve spoken to Nakisa” Bidarian, who is Paul’s business partner and co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions.

“For us, it’s a fight we’d be interested in. If AJ is going to come back for a tune-up, or a warm-up, why not do it against Jake Paul for a load of money?”

Jake Paul

Hearn continued: “Jake Paul would have to be mad to take this fight, but he is a little bid mad. I can’t rule it out. I can’t tell you, ‘It’s close’, or, ‘It’s on the verge’.”

“But there have been discussions and we’ll see what happens.”

Hearn’s plan and Paul’s desperation for a marquee December vision seemingly align with the way in which Matchroom wants to bring Joshua back. There were even rumors AJ could fight in a co-main spot, rather than a headline bout, against a lesser fighter just to get rounds in the bank as he’s not competed for more than 13 months back.

A fight against Paul would easily be winnable for Joshua, setting him up with a significant payday before he heads back to the negotiation table for the only bout that makes sense for him at this stage of his career — an all-British battle against fellow former champion Tyson Fury, despite the latter’s claims that he’s retired.

Former long-reigning heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder is gearing up for a productive 2026.

Boxing: Deontay Wilder hits another snag as questions arise over his career  | Marca

‘The Bronze Bomber’ made his long-awaited return to action back in June when he stopped countryman Tyrrell Herndon in the seventh round of their clash at the Charles Koch Arena in Wichita, Kansas.

The 40-year-old from Alabama had reportedly been on the verge of retiring from the sport after he suffered consecutive defeats to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang, but the former WBC heavyweight champion has set his sights on pushing towards becoming a two-time heavyweight champion next year.

“All I Can Say Is Two Time”: Deontay Wilder Announces His Next Fight Is Now Signed

JUST IN: Negotiation Details: Why Anthony Joshua Could Replace Davis in Fight with Jake Paul

Speaking to renowned livestreamer N3on recently, Wilder revealed that he has signed a contract for a fight that is set to take place in January, as he claims he is looking forward to a ‘big year’.

“I do have something coming up. We’re looking in January. I’ve signed the contract already. I can’t [give] no details at this point, but it’s definitely live. It’s gonna happen. I got a big year next year, I’m looking forward to it … all I can say is two-time. Let’s go.”

It remains to be seen exactly who Wilder’s next opponent will be however, considering Ukrainian superstar Oleksandr Usyk currently holds all four of the major world heavyweight titles.

Reports have suggested that ‘The Bronze Bomber’ could be in line to face former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou next, although it is also being speculated that he could be pursuing a long-awaited showdown with two-time unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, who is gearing up to make his return to action as well.

Any of these big nights under the lights is likely to come after this January return, which manager Shelly Finkel has said will happen ‘overseas.’