'This isn't YouTube' - talks continue for Joshua v Paul
Hearn also acknowledged the fight would face criticism should it be made.In Japan, there was a timely reminder of the dangers of the sport as super-featherweight Shigetoshi Kotari died from injuries he sustained in a bout earlier this month.Paul has fought many ex-MMA fighters in boxing, has competed at cruiserweight and his single loss was to Tommy Fury.While the American has insisted becoming a world champion is his ultimate goal, there are few in the sport who would say that is possible."Do I think he'll go and win world titles? Nope, never," Hearn said.Bidarian likened the potential match-up to when ex-UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou crossed into boxing."Anthony Joshua fought Francis Ngannou. Francis Ngannou first fought Tyson Fury who many says is a better boxer than Anthony Joshua and went all 10 rounds," Bidarian said."And then had the opportunity to fight Anthony Joshua and got flatlined. Which happens all the time in boxing."
How much could Joshua earn from a Paul fight?
Hearn and Bidarian both said the fight would probably take place at a stadium in the United States.As many as 72,000 people watched Paul and Tyson at the AT&T Stadium in Texas while Joshua has staged six of his fights at different stadiums in the UK.The main motivation for Joshua is the prospective fight purse, which Hearn said could exceed his previous paydays.Joshua's purses have never been made public or verified but his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk in 2022 earned him reportedly as much as £40m."Probably right up there [as his biggest fight purse]," Hearn said."[Usually] the more dangerous the fight, the bigger you expect the purse to be, or to reflect that."This is actually the opposite. It might be AJ's easiest ever fight and potentially his biggest payday."
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