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BOXING

Jake Paul vs. Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis fight in limbo

By Admin September 17, 2025

The status of the proposed fight between Jake Paul and Gervonta Davis – under scrutiny because of the weight discrepancy between the two fighters – has grown murky.

Rick Thompson, chairman of the Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission (GAEC), told USA TODAY Sports on Tuesday, Sept. 16 that the promoter had withdrawn their request for event permits and rule waivers required to hold the event in Georgia.

The promoter was Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), co-founded by Paul and business partner Nakisa Bidarian.

JUST IN: Amid Crawford’s P4P Takeover Oleksandr Usyk’s Belts Under Thre

“I believe it’s in the public’s interest to know that because they’ve been promoting something they should not have been,’’ Thompson said when reached by USA TODAY Sports.

In fact, on Tuesday, Sept. 16, tickets still were available for purchase online and the fight still was listed on the State Farm Arena event calendar, to be held Nov. 14. MVP announced the fight, which is supposed to be carried by Netflix, on Aug. 20.

MVP did not respond to questions about the fight submitted by email and text message.

One rule waiver MVP had requested would have addressed the weight discrepancy between Paul and Davis. Paul weighed in at 199½ pounds for his last fight and Davis weighed in at 133¾ pounds for his last fight.

The GAEC commission is scheduled to meet Thursday and was expected to vote on MVP’s requests. MVP needed the votes of three of the five commissioners for approval, and the chairman – one of the five commissioners – adamantly opposed the rule waiver that would have modified restrictions on the allowed weight difference between fighters.

“They probably evaluated a situation, knew that their weight differences were too much,’’ Thompson said.

Thompson said he was notified of MVP’s decision Tuesday by GAEC executive director Matt Woodruff.

In an interview with USA TODAY Sports Sept. 8, Thompson blasted the fight, calling it “the dumbest (expletive) I’ve ever heard.” He also said he didn’t think Paul was a competitive fighter.

But on Tuesday, Thompson said he hoped MVP could reconsider holding the proposed undercard for the Paul-Davis bout in Atlanta.

“We would love for the undercard to still fight in the state of Georgia,’’ he said. “We believe the undercard is something people would like to see.’’

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BOXING

Why Gervonta Davis could retire after Jake Paul fight

By Admin September 13, 2025

An interview Gervonta Davis gave last December has resurfaced, and is the clearest indication yet that ‘Tank’ is ready to walk away from the sport.

The chat with Dan Canobbio sheds light on the mindset of the unbeaten star as speculation mounts that his fight with Jake Paul could be the final chapter of his career.

Speaking to Inside Boxing Live months before talks of a Paul bout began, Davis admitted he no longer felt the same desire to continue in the sport, linking his inner fire to the struggles he carries outside the ring.

JUST IN: Blood And Broken Bones: Alalshikh’s Demands For Canelo Vs. Crawford

The mental anguish of becoming a ‘civilian’ and rehabilitating the character that had landed him in trouble with the law on multiple occasions could also explain his performance against Lamont Roach that spring.

Gervonta Davis is ready to walk away
Davis and Roach fought out a draw, and the former decided against the rematch, opting instead to face the YouTuber in November on Netflix.

“That’s why I don’t want to box no more,” Davis told Cannobio. “I want to do therapy right, but I feel as though if I do therapy, I will lose the fire that is inside of me.

Tank Davis goes deeper on the retirement talk:

“I want to do therapy but I feel as if I do therapy, I’ll lose the fire I have inside me” pic.twitter.com/6Ox23brRoF

— Dan Canobbio (@DanCanobbio) December 4, 2024

“I want everything out of me. I’ll never think about fighting again, and I don’t even think about getting angry.

“I have two girls, two daughters, and I’m wanting to be much softer, be more humble, and things like that.”

Davis’ words still resonate as he prepares for what could be one of the most high-profile crossover fights in boxing history. The Baltimore knockout artist, once seen as the sport’s future pay-per-view king, is openly questioning whether his heart remains in the game.

From fighter to father
His reflections highlighted a conflict between the aggression required inside the ring and the softer role he now craves as a father of two young daughters.

The comments came after a series of high-profile incidents, including a short prison stint following a hit-and-run and viral footage of altercations involving Davis against a woman. For many fans, his latest words suggest he may be intent on leaving the chaos behind once and for all.

With Davis facing off against Paul in a cruiserweight bout, fans will wonder if this could be the swan song for the WBA lightweight champion.

His remarks from late 2024 remain valid as the boxing world speculates on whether therapy, family, and a new life outside the sport will ultimately take priority over his unbeaten record.

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BOXING

Joshua Accused of ‘Selling His Soul’ Amid

By Admin August 11, 2025

Joshua Accused of ‘Selling His Soul’ Amid Jake Paul Fight Talks

Anthony Joshua has been accused of ‘selling his soul’ as talk over a potential fight with Jake Paul heats up.

Joshua is looking for his next opponent after having been knocked out by Daniel Dubois in his last fight. Prior to the fight, Joshua expressed his desire to become a three-weight world champion as the IBF belt was up for grabs. Joshua has undergone elbow surgery after picking up an injury following the Dubois fight, as the attention turns to his next fight. Joshua had been vocal about his desire to fight Tyson Fury, but the latter’s retirement means that is now off the table.

Joshua has previously boxed Francis Ngannou, knocking him out in the second round. The fight was questioned since Ngannou only had one fight before this, losing to Tyson Fury in a split decision. However, facing Paul races further questions. Paul’s resume is filled mostly with wins against non-pro boxers, losing to Tommy Fury, the first pro boxer he faced. Paul is also coming off a unanimous decision win against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. While Paul fight will no doubt earn Joshua a massive payday, former UFC fighter Molly McCann has accused AJ of selling out.

READ: Jake Paul scores first blood in Gervonta Davis

“I’m not here for it. He’s selling his soul for money, do you know what I mean? It’s like what, lad, have you not got enough? […] Turn it in lad. Why don’t we just leave this stuff alone?,” McCann said

Consequences

The long-term consequence of this could be damning. If top fighters are consistently choosing these “gimmick” fights over challenging contenders, it devalues world titles and makes the path to becoming a champion less meaningful. A fight with Paul, no matter the financial gain, does nothing to enhance Joshua’s legacy.

A fight between Joshua and Paul also raises serious concerns about fighter safety. While Paul has been a consistent presence in boxing for a few years, he is still a developing fighter with a limited skillset compared to a two-time former unified heavyweight champion. Joshua is a power-punching heavyweight with an Olympic gold medal and years of experience at the highest level of professional boxing. Paul, by contrast, has been knocking out people who are not, and were never, professional boxers.

The potential fight also creates a problematic narrative for boxing’s future. The rise of social media influencers in boxing, however, shifts the focus from the sport itself to the personalities involved. Instead of drawing fans in with the promise of a classic showdown between two of the best heavyweights, a Joshua-Paul fight markets itself on the notoriety of one fighter and the star power of the other. It reduces boxing to a celebrity event.

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BOXING

Jake Paul scores first blood in Gervonta Davis

By Admin August 10, 2025

Jake Paul scores first blood in Gervonta Davis rivalry

Topps has unveiled its first boxing trading card set since 1951. However, the debut has already ignited fierce debate among fans after the company included Jake Paul and suddenly removed Gervonta Davis.

Paul has made a habit out of facing past-their-best combat stars from boxing and UFC, pushing to a 12-1 ledger and losing to the only real prime boxer he ever faced, Tommy Fury.

JUST IN: Anthony Joshua could earn himself a whopping £100m for

Davis, meanwhile, has out-of-the-ring problems, ring inactivity, and a recent jail term behind him, which Topps obviously wouldn’t elaborate on in its announcement.

Topps Boxing Card Controversy
The company confirmed, “Our first boxing trading card set since 1951 is here.

“Topps Chrome Boxing features legends, rookies, and stars, and is the first boxing release in history to be officially licensed by multiple boxing promotions.”

The set is available for pre-order on August 11.

They added, “UPDATE: Gervonta Davis will not be included in this collection.”

The official checklist now confirms the appearance of Floyd Mayweather, Mike Tyson, Tyson Fury, and Jake Paul among the headline names. Top Rank has also revealed their fighters will feature, with Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions yet to confirm.

No Reason Given
The image of Davis’s gold-framed “1/1” autographed card, part of early promotional material, confirms Topps initially slated the Baltimore fighter to appear before being dropped.

WBN has reached out to Topps and PBC to see if the decision to remove Davis has any bearing on the likes of Manny Pacquiao and David Benavidez featuring in the collection.

While Topps did not cite a reason for the change, the decision comes as Davis faces an August 12 court date following a string of legal issues and arrests.

JUST IN: Our first boxing set since 1951 is here.

Topps Chrome Boxing features legends, rookies & stars, and is the first boxing release in history to be officially licensed by multiple boxing promotions.

Available for pre-order on August 11. pic.twitter.com/0O4qvwADBU

— Topps (@Topps) August 7, 2025

Fan Reaction
Fan reaction to the Paul vs Davis (who once called each other out) situation, in which the YouTuber scored first blood, was swift and heated on social media.

“Why did you put Jake Paul in it? Be for real. Not a serious group,” said one regarding the influencer boxer’s ‘Hidden Gems’ card.

Another added, “This was great until I saw the Jake Paul card. He’s not a real boxer; he doesn’t even fight boxers.”

“So you drop Tank but keep Jake? Wild,” stated a third.

With Davis gone and Paul in, the launch of Topps Chrome Boxing is already shaping up to be one of the most controversial trading card releases in recent sports history.

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BOXING

Anthony Joshua could earn himself a whopping £100m for

By Admin August 10, 2025

Anthony Joshua could earn himself a whopping £100m for fighting Jake Paul, according to boxing promoter Eddie Hearn.

In March, Paul called out AJ on his podcast ‘BS w/ Jake Paul’, stating: “I want to fight Anthony Joshua – exclusive – because I know I will f***ing beat Anthony Joshua’s ass.

“He doesn’t have a chin, and he has no skill and he’s stiff. I love you Anthony, we’e friends, all this s*** but I want to fight you.”

READ: Anthony Joshua promoter explains why Jake Paul clash would be…

And Joshua called Paul’s bluff by phoning the YouTube later that day, adding fuel to the fire as he posted on his Instagram a shot of his call with Paul and the caption “2026”.

Hearn also revealed AJ is on board for a fight with Paul, stating: “I spoke to AJ shortly after and I mean, look, we don’t own the world heavyweight championship anymore. We’re not chasing undisputed.

“That’s always been the dream and will remain the dream until the career ends, but at the same time, we haven’t even got an opponent.

“So when Jake Paul comes out and you know you’re gonna make £100million to fight Jake Paul, obviously like any man with a brain would go, ‘Oh, OK, line it up.’”

Paul frontrunner to face AJ

On Friday, Hearn spoke up over the idea of the pair getting in the ring together, telling Sky Sports News: “I think Jake Paul is absolutely the frontrunner to fight Anthony Joshua next. I’m here in New York for meetings about the fight, there’s an open dialogue between myself and MVP.

“I don’t know what to tell you other than it’s mental. I can’t sit here and tell you that this is a 50/50 match. The whole thing is bizarre, I think it’s extremely dangerous for Jake Paul.

“The general feedback is that the boxing world is say ‘Please AJ, go in there and evaporate this young man from the boxing world so we can all get on as normal’.”

With such a vast amount of money to be made on a fight between the pair, this would take Joshua closer to his ‘billionaire’ dream.

In an interview with GQ in 2017, the former Olympian said: “When I first started, the aim was to become a multimillionaire. But now there are ordinary people, grandmas and granddads, who are worth millions just because of property prices.

“So the new school of thought is that I need to be a billionaire. Being a millionaire is good, but you have to set your sights higher.”

Joshua and Paul net worth revealed

Latest estimates put Joshua’s net worth at £195m according to the Sunday Times Rich List published earlier this year, though Forbes has this figure at $83m (£61.7m).

In addition, from endorsement deals alone in the world of boxing, Joshua was actually level with Paul.

Paul’s net worth, meanwhile, is estimated to be between $100m and $120m (£74.5m and £89.2m) however, Forbes suggest his net worth is closer to $50m (£37.2m).

Earlier this weekend, TV personality Piers Morgan moved to clarify his comments that Paul’s fights were staged after the boxer sought legal counsel following the Brit’s claims.

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BOXING

Anthony Joshua promoter explains why Jake Paul clash would be…

By Admin August 8, 2025

Anthony Joshua promoter explains why Jake Paul clash would be bigger than Tyson Fury fight

Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul holds the most commercial value in boxing right now, Matchroom Boxing CEO Frank Smith suggested.

Joshua is currently in talks for a staggering boxing clash with YouTuber-turned-fighter Paul.

READ: ‘Run him over’ – Oleksandr Usyk called out by Anthony Joshua’s bitter rival in...

There is a gulf in class between the pair with the Briton a two-time former heavyweight world champion, while Paul has had just 13 professional fights against largely limited opposition.

Several options lay on the table for Joshua’s comeback fight, and he has also been heavily linked with a two-fight blockbuster deal with bitter rival Tyson Fury.

And despite the boxing purist wanting to see AJ finally settle his feud with the ‘Gypsy King’, Smith believes the commercial value lies in a duel with Paul.

“2026 is going to be a huge year for Anthony Joshua,” Smith said on talkSPORT’s Hawksbee & Jacobs.

“It is a random fight with Jake Paul, but it is the biggest fight out there at the moment.

“Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul on the global scale is bigger than Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury. That is the world we live in right now.

“The Tyson Fury fight is still a huge fight, and if he decides to come back from retirement, I’m sure that can also get made in 2026.

“AJ has does everything in the sport, he still has a lot more to offer but in this business people get written off.

“I think you will see him in a great year next year in the biggest events possible.

“From a commercial perspective he’s in the driving seat, AJ delivers the biggest numbers.”

How realistic is Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul?

Paul has already shown he is a commercial super power in boxing despite his limited experience.

But he would be an overwhelming underdog in a clash with Joshua, with many expecting a booming KO from the Briton.

The ‘Problem Child’ has even received health warnings from Smith’s Matchroom Boxing colleague Eddie Hearn, who suggested Paul will be decapitated by Joshua.

Paul has only fought at heavyweight once, and that was against 58-year-old veteran Mike Tyson, whom he beat in a huge money-spinning event.

But Smith ultimately believes a fight with Joshua will spell an end to Paul’s time in the ring.

He added: “I think you have to respect what Jake Paul has done.

“He’s not at the level of Anthony Joshua, and he keeps calling people and one day these fights will happen.

“This is the reality, and I think this could be the end of Jake Paul’s influencer dreams of becoming a boxer.

“I don’t think he can knock out AJ, but we shall see.”

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BOXING

Jake Paul Gains Rare Support From MMA Fans as

By Admin August 7, 2025

Jake Paul Gains Rare Support From MMA Fans as Conor McGregor’s UFC Return Faces Backlash

Conor McGregor is stirring the pot once more!

After months of rumors, setbacks, and a toe injury that scrapped his UFC 303 comeback, the Irish icon is reigniting excitement around his long-anticipated return to the Octagon. The former two-division champion has been out of action since suffering a brutal leg break in his trilogy clash with Dustin Poirier back in July 2021. After nearly three years of hyping up a comeback, Conor McGregor has finally taken a concrete step toward making it happen. He has rejoined the UFC’s drug testing pool and has turned talk into a real possibility.

On Sunday, ‘Notorious’ amped up the excitement surrounding his return by sharing a video of himself drilling kicks. He gave fans a glimpse of the firepower he’s preparing to bring back to the Octagon. Conor McGregor’s comment section lit up after he posted his latest training video, with a wave of fans cheering on his long-awaited comeback. But not everyone was in his corner. Among the critics was none other than Jake Paul, the YouTuber-turned-boxer who’s made a habit of throwing jabs at McGregor online.

JUST IN: Khabib Nurmagomedov Labels Floyd Mayweather a

Paul, who’s been publicly campaigning for a fight with the UFC megastar for years, once again took the opportunity to mock the 37-year-old under the post. Despite his repeated callouts, McGregor has never entertained the idea of stepping into the ring with Paul. Still, that hasn’t stopped the social media provocateur from taking shots at MMA’s biggest name whenever the spotlight is shining. The 28-year-old reminded the former UFC dual-champion that it was time he called it quits and commented, “Bro, just give it up lol.” Jake Paul clearly believes it’s time for McGregor to hang up the gloves, but retirement doesn’t appear to be on the Irishman’s agenda anytime soon.

Redditors then took up the comment and shared the video of McGregor training on UFC’s subreddit. However, more than the video, it was Jake Paul’s reaction that caught the attention of many. Just hours before posting the training clip that ruffled Jake Paul’s feathers, ‘Mystic Mac’ made a headline-grabbing prediction about his future. McGregor boldly declared his intention to compete on the UFC’s White House card in July 2026, right after pulling off what many would consider an improbable political victory. But unfortunately, fans don’t quite agree with the sentiment.

Conor McGregor’s latest training video gets honest assessment from fans

If there’s one thing fans have come to expect from Conor McGregor—besides sharp suits and sharper trash talk—it’s his consistent stream of training videos on social media. For McGregor, training isn’t just a private grind—it’s a performance. This habit dates back years, but it’s become even more prominent during his periods of inactivity. Of course, not every post is met with applause, and this is exactly what has happened with his latest post. The fans have surprisingly taken the side of Jake Paul.

One of the fans pointed out how the 37-year-old McGregor looked nowhere close to his best and sarcastically commented, “What an incredible speed.” A fan shared another sarcastic jab suggesting McGregor looks sluggish and awkward, like how people often move in slow motion during dreams, and commented, “How I fight in my dreams..” There was a time when McGregor was known for his movement inside the Octagon. However, looking at his recent video, one user commented, “Looks like he’s stuck in the mud.”

One direct critique pointed out how the former dual champion doesn’t seem sharp or in sync like he used to. While “McCoker” might be a mocking nickname, the comment read, “McCoker seems slow and uncoordinated.” It has been quite a lot of time since Conor McGregor fought under the UFC banner. While he has been training for quite some time now, it seems he has yet to get back to full fitness, as pointed out by one of the fans: “He’s looking so slow.”

Jake Paul and McGregor have been trying to get into a fight with each other for quite some time now. While the fight is yet to happen, one fan feels McGregor might lose it and commented, “So slow and stiff but tbh I’d still favour him on Jake in a fight.” A nostalgic critique suggested that McGregor has declined and lost the fluidity and speed that defined his earlier career and commented, “Old Conor would be ashamed of that stiffness.”

Overall, most of these comments reflect disappointment in how the Irishman appears in his training footage, especially compared to his prime. However, one just cannot rule out McGregor in a fight. But the big question is, will the Dubliner ever make a return to the Octagon?

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Jake Paul Had No Choice but Use Legal Action Against

By Admin August 7, 2025

Jake Paul Had No Choice but Use Legal Action Against Critics’ Rigging Allegations, Explains Chael Sonnen

Jake Paul has been making waves in the boxing world, but his rise hasn’t come without controversy. Following his highly publicized bout against Mike Tyson last November — streamed exclusively on Netflix — Tyson’s close friend and former NFL star Adam ‘Pacman’ Jones publicly claimed the fight was rigged. Similar accusations surfaced again after Paul secured a unanimous decision win over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in June.

Veteran journalist Piers Morgan also cast doubt on the legitimacy of Paul’s win during his show. While Paul and his business partner, Nakisa Bidarian, have repeatedly pushed back against such allegations, they appear to have reached their limit. After recently threatening Morgan with legal action, Paul has reportedly retained high-profile attorney Alex Spiro, best known for representing the likes of Elon Musk, to take on the mounting criticism.

Amid all this, former UFC fighter Chael Sonnen has weighed in, shedding light on why Jake Paul hired high-profile attorney Spiro — reportedly charging $3,000 an hour — to take on his critics. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Sonnen revealed, “I give each and every one of you a full pass. I have a direct line to Jake, I am somebody Jake will listen to, I can get you a pass. Truly.” He added that the only reason he’s willing to defend some critics is because, in his words, “I don’t believe that you know what it is you’re saying.”

READ: EXCLUSIVE: Why Usyk vs Jake Paul is ‘homicide, even in a

Sonnen believes many of the accusations of fight-fixing stem from people chasing headlines and clicks rather than genuine concern. He emphasized that Paul’s decision to bolster his legal team stems from the serious nature of the allegations. “You’re accusing him of a crime. I don’t think that you’re aware of that,” Sonnen said, highlighting the legal gravity of rigging a sporting event. “It is beyond illegal to rig something that has gaming. Beyond illegal. I don’t think you realize the severity — not just from an ethical and moral standpoint, which would take away from everything, every piece of hard work that you’ve ever done.”

Interestingly, Spiro — renowned for fiercely defending his clients’ reputations — has previously represented high-profile figures like Jay-Z, Alec Baldwin, and Naomi Osaka. Jake Paul’s decision to bring Spiro on board signals a serious shift in how he’s approaching his boxing career. It suggests that Paul is now more committed than ever to safeguarding his brand and credibility within the sport. With Spiro’s extensive experience in high-stakes cases and his keen understanding of public perception, Paul appears determined to silence his critics through legal means rather than just in the ring.

“I’ve been retained by Mr. Paul to pursue legal redress for the damages he has suffered,” Spiro said in a statement, per the Daily Mail. “If someone uses their public soapbox to harm him and the sport with lies, there will be consequences.” Regardless, while Paul’s legal move may have caught many off guard, his business partner had already addressed the growing wave of baseless allegations weeks earlier, hinting that action might be taken.

Rigging allegations against Jake Paul are defamatory, says Bidarian

On July 8th, MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian appeared in an interview with MMA journalist Ariel Helwani, where he directly addressed the rigging allegations surrounding Jake Paul. “When you definitively state that Jake is putting on staged or rigged fights, that’s just defamation,” he told Helwani. “And you’re causing substantial damage to his business, to MVP’s business, and something that’s 100 per cent not true.”

Bidarian further claimed that these accusations have negatively impacted Paul’s partnerships with DAZN, Netflix, and Celsius, forcing them into uncomfortable and unwarranted conversations with their corporate partners. “Our legal representation is looking at multiple individuals to go after,” Bidarian had told Helwani at the time.

Turns out Jake Paul wasn’t bluffing about going after his critics for making baseless accusations. Now, media personalities will have to either refrain from talking about the subject or face Paul’s legal team on the courtroom floor. And from Spiro’s resume, he may land a knockout blow.

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EXCLUSIVE: Why Usyk vs Jake Paul is ‘homicide, even in a

By Admin August 6, 2025

Speaking to WBN in the wake of Usyk’s commanding rematch victory over Daniel Dubois on July 19 at Wembley Stadium, Krassyuk confirmed the controversial crossover bout has momentum, but warned it can’t be viewed as a real fight.

Usyk vs Paul is “Widely Discussed”
“This fight is widely discussed now. But it can’t be a boxing match as it is a homicide,” Krassyuk told WBN.

JUST IN: Jake Paul is a tougher opponent for Anthony Joshua than

“Even a cage fight does not leave chances for the young YouTuber. But money talks. And this event can generate some serious numbers.”

Paul, who entered the ring at Wembley following Usyk’s win, caused a stir by teasing a potential clash with the unified champion.

While the size difference and skill gap appear insurmountable, Krassyuk acknowledged that the financial appeal could force the issue.

“There are always two sides to the coin,” he added. “The positive thing is that the Paul brothers draw the attention of hundreds of millions of youngsters to boxing. On the other hand, they miscommunicated its real meaning, fighting the retired MMA veterans and old legends.”

Krassyuk concluded with a pointed message for the 28-year-old American: “I think that as soon as Jake Paul decently defeats a real professional boxer of a high level, he will immediately gain the respect of the boxing community.”

Is Retirement the Next Step for Usyk?
For now, Usyk’s next opponent remains a mystery after completing his mandatory obligations. But with Paul now licensed at cruiserweight and hunting prominent names, the unthinkable may not be as far-fetched as it once seemed.

Paul is reportedly in talks for a suicidal mission against Anthony Joshua. Meanwhile, Krassyuk believes Usyk should retire from the sport after achieving everything possible and more.

“I don’t see him fighting anymore, at least in boxing,” Krassyuk told WBN. “He has proved it all, there’s nothing more to gain.

“For sure, there’re going to be some dossers around pushing him to the ring again.

“As a friend, I will do my best to convince him to retire,” he concluded.

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Jake Paul is a tougher opponent for Anthony Joshua than

By Admin August 6, 2025

Anthony Joshua fight can absolutely happen, says Paul’s manager

Jake Paul’s manager Nakisa Bidarian has told Sky Sports he is holding talks about a blockbuster fight with Anthony Joshua.

Joshua, who has not fought since losing to Daniel Dubois in September last year, underwent elbow surgery in May but is targeting a return to the ring later in 2025.

JUST IN: Jake Paul faces competition for Anthony Joshua fight as new

Since then, YouTuber-turned-professional boxer Paul beat veterans Mike Tyson and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. at heavyweight and cruiserweight respectively.

After defeating Chavez by unanimous decision last month, Paul audaciously called for a showdown with Joshua and has met with Turki Alalshikh to try and make it happen.

“I think the fight can absolutely happen,” Bidarian told Sky Sports News. “I’m looking at it as Jake versus Joshua, which is quite biblical, and it’s quite impactful in many ways.

“I think size wise, we can get comfortable with it, and I think experience wise, Jake is learning very fast and growing, and Joshua is a little long in the tooth. So it could be a very interesting matchup, and we’re actively discussing it with Matchroom.

“I think we’re looking at it happening at the start of 2026. It’s public that AJ was taking a little time away, I think he had a little surgery. So once he’s ready, and once Jake is ready, we’re going to squarely focus on that.

“It’s a fight that Jake wants to do, and that’s a discussion we’ve had at length, and he feels very confident about where he is in his career and his chances of upsetting Anthony Joshua.”

There are plenty of concerns over whether Paul will be able to make the step up to take on a world-leading heavyweight like Joshua, but Bidarian is adamant his star client would not take the fight if he wasn’t ready.

“Power is obviously the last thing to go,” he added. “So obviously, AJ has a ton of power, and he’s still fairly young. Mike Tyson – much more vicious of a knockout artist than Anthony Joshua – that was a risk Jake was willing to take.

“Francis Ngannou, amazing MMA fighter, very powerful man, but not an experienced boxer, right? He is a lot less experienced than Jake Paul. So if people were comfortable with Francis getting in there with AJ, Jake, who is now 13 fights in, plus one amateur fight, then we are comfortable with this.

“Wembley’s definitely a possibility. Jake said he’d like to do it there. He likes the idea of going in and hearing 90,000 people booing him!”

Tyson Fury is currently retired from boxing but has teased a return to the sport, and promoter Hearn is still keen to make a Joshua-Fury fight.

“AJ has been out [of action] for coming up to a year in September, so we definitely want to fight again,” Hearn said earlier this month.

Hearn: A chance to ‘extinguish’ Jake Paul from world of boxing

Paul propelled himself to fame on YouTube but has now won 12 fights after launching his boxing career in 2020.

The 28-year-old suffered defeat to Tommy Fury in 2023 but has gone on to beat former UFC star Nate Diaz, professional American boxers Andre August and Ryan Bourland, plus former UFC fighter Mike Perry.

A controversially-sanctioned bout against Tyson is Paul’s only heavyweight fight so far, before he stepped down to cruiserweight against Chavez.

“AJ-Paul is never a fight we anticipated, and it’s never a fight we’ve targeted,” Hearn added. “But if you want Jake Paul to be the warm-up fight [for Tyson Fury] – and obviously, financially, it’s a great opportunity for AJ – and you want to provide AJ with the opportunity to extinguish Jake Paul from the world of boxing, then maybe AJ would oblige.

“Jake’s a big, strong cruiserweight. I don’t think he’s particularly competitive, but we know in the world we live in, a lot of people would watch it.

“It may be the biggest fight that can be made, bizarrely, in the sport. I’m not going to sit here and tell you, ‘yeah, it’s a great challenge’.

“I think he gets flattened ASAP, but there’ll be a huge amount of people globally that would want to watch that.

“We’ll see. His Excellency said to us, ‘would you be interested in making the fight?’ I can’t say no, because until we know the proposal, maybe. And if Jake Paul is crazy enough to step in the ring with Anthony Joshua, and he might be, because of the amount of money that will be at stake, who knows? You could see AJ against Jake Paul next.”

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