Latest news with #AllOutFighting
Daily Mirror
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua fight could happen much sooner than expected
Jake Paul's promoter Nakisa Bidarian has provided an update on the YouTuber's potential fight with Anthony Joshua, which could take place sooner than expected Jake Paul's promoter believes a fight with Anthony Joshua could happen early next year. The YouTuber-turned-pugilist has spent most of the year campaigning for a scrap with the former two-time heavyweight world champion. Following his expression of interest during his podcast earlier this year, Paul engaged in a brief telephone conversation with Joshua, with both men ultimately reaching a verbal agreement for a blockbuster encounter. Earlier this month, Paul was present ringside for Oleksandr Usyk's victory over Daniel Dubois and confirmed that a future bout with Joshua will occur next year. He told DAZN: "Yeah 100 per cent it's going to happen. We're going to do the unthinkable and create one of the biggest fights in the history of boxing." Despite speculation surrounding the heavyweight clash taking place towards the end of 2026, Paul's promoter and business partner - Nakisa Bidarian - has disclosed that he is engaged in talks with Eddie Hearn and that the encounter could materialise much earlier than expected, reports All Out Fighting. Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: "I think the fight can absolutely happen. 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." Meanwhile, a sports finance expert has predicted a potential clash between the duo could generate $40million (£30m). With millions across the globe expected to watch, it's hardly shocking that both fighters would be handsomely compensated for their efforts. Nevertheless, it appears money isn't the primary motivation for Paul. The American is evidently desperate to secure the bout and is even prepared to accept a ONE PER CENT share of the prize money. This comes from Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh, who revealed during a recent stint on 'The Boxing Voice': "I'm not against what Jake Paul's doing in boxing, it's good for boxing to have a young generation. "I'm against some kinds of fights he does. I'm now thinking him against Joshua. Joshua, if he destroys (Paul), it will be good for me. The headache of Jake Paul goes from my mind. If Jake Paul wins, I will know that Joshua is finished, and Jake Paul deserves his ranking and deserves to have a future in boxing. I don't want 50-50. In this situation, I want 99-1. Jake Paul has accepted. Now, next week I will talk with Joshua about it."
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Anthony Joshua told Jake Paul fight is 'bigger' than Tyson Fury showdown
Joshua has verbally agreed to fight Paul next year, and one individual believes a showdown with the YouTube star is bigger than a potential all-British bout with Fury Barry Hearn believes a bout between Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul would be more massive than a potential all-British heavyweight showdown with Tyson Fury. Joshua hasn't stepped into the ring since his crushing knockout loss to Daniel Dubois last September. A clash with Fury appeared on the horizon after the 'Gypsy King' endured consecutive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk. Just weeks following his second loss to the Ukrainian, the Morecambe brawler announced his retirement from boxing. However, mere months later, Fury confirmed his comeback to competitive boxing and is targeting a bout next year, reports All Out Fighting. The 36-year-old remains open to facing Joshua - but may have to get in line as it appears 'AJ' could take on Paul instead. The duo have exchanged verbal jabs over recent months and have verbally committed to a dust-up. Whilst fans are desperate to witness Joshua and Fury finally clash in the ring, Hearn has explained precisely why he believes a fight between 'AJ' and Paul would be bigger. Speaking to IFL TV, he said: "I do not really have an opinion, I listen to the market! If a market says they want that product, you bring out that product. If the market says we love darts, then I would do lots of darts events. "If the market says we want to see Anthony Joshua against the YouTuber or whatever his you want to call him... an influencer, the market have spoken. And anyone in business that does not listen to the market, do not stay in business very long." When questioned about which bout would be 'bigger' between Joshua vs Fury or Joshua vs Paul, Hearn responded: "Probably the latter. But, I am not saying it should be, I am just saying it is the world we live in and everyone has the ability to ignore reality, but it never seems to really make sense at the end of the day. "You have to listen to what people want. We are not governing our own destiny here, we listen to broadcasters, to fans, to sponsors, and we have to go where we have to go. If that does not appeal to what I call the traditionalists within boxing, of which, at a maximum, is five per cent of your audience... the day you run a business based on five per cent opinion, you will be out of business very quickly." Speaking to DAZN before Oleksandr Usyk's clash with Daniel Dubois, Paul virtually guaranteed that he would step into the ring with Joshua next year. "Yeah 100 per cent it's going to happen. We're going to do the unthinkable and create one of the biggest fights in the history of boxing," he said. "It's not even about it being realistic or not, it's going to happen so fasten your seatbelts. And when I knock him out I'll go down in the history books forever." When is Anthony Joshua's next fight? As Joshua is currently recuperating from an elbow operation, the Brit is aiming to get back in the ring before the year's end. His promoter, Eddie Hearn, has recently disclosed that 'AJ' is now looking to move forward with his career after repeatedly chasing a fight with Fury, but he still harbours hopes of eventually squaring off with the 'Gypsy King' before retiring. In a chat with Sky Sports about Joshua's future plans, Hearn stated: "Yeah, good, he had that operation recently... that elbow surgery, which went very well. You will see him return in October, November or December."
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Anthony Joshua told to retire from boxing immediately on one condition
Anthony Joshua has been urged to retire if he is unable to secure a fight with Tyson Fury, with the former world champion set to return to the ring later this year Anthony Joshua has been advised to hang up his gloves if a bout with Tyson Fury doesn't materialise. The former two-time heavyweight king hasn't stepped into the ring since his defeat buy Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium last September. While both fighters appeared poised for an instant rematch, Joshua required additional recovery time following minor injuries sustained during their initial clash. After the Dubois setback, Joshua's future remains uncertain, with many questioning what lies ahead for the 35 year old boxer. Ex-WBA super-middleweight titleholder George Groves reckons there's little remaining for Joshua beyond an all-British showdown with Fury. Nevertheless, Groves confesses that the prospect of the British icon facing Jake Paul thrills him. The duo have been linked to a potential clash next year following verbal confirmation of a heavyweight encounter. The 'Problem Child' has repeatedly challenged 'AJ' in recent months and appears keen to square off against the boxing legend, reports All Out Fighting. Speaking to talkSPORT, Groves commented: "[Jake Paul] is a gift that keeps on giving for Anthony Joshua. It'll be a huge fight, [with] a lot of money at stake and zero risk. As a fighter, at some point [and] definitely at Joshua's point of his career, you weigh up your risk [to] reward. "And considering there's zero risk in a Jake Paul fight, apart from embarrassment if something bizarre happens, with a lot of reward, if he gets that fight, he's gonna be buzzing. But that's not the fight I want to see for Anthony Joshua. I'd rather see him retire or fight Fury." In the midst of speculation about a potential face-off, Saudi boxing boss Turki Alalshikh disclosed that he had talks with Paul and even suggested that the American is prepared to accept a mere ONE PER CENT share of the purse. Speaking on 'The Boxing Voice', Alalshikh stated: "I'm not against what Jake Paul's doing in boxing, it's good for boxing to have a young generation." 'I'm against some kinds of fights he does. I'm now thinking him against Joshua. Joshua, if he destroys (Paul), it will be good for me. The headache of Jake Paul goes from my mind. If Jake Paul wins, I will know that Joshua is finished, and Jake Paul deserves his ranking and deserves to have a future in boxing. I don't want 50-50. In this situation, I want 99-1. Jake Paul has accepted. Now, next week I will talk with Joshua about it. "". Anthony Taylor, Paul's one-time sparring partner, has dished out some advice for the American ahead of a potential clash with Joshua. In a chat with CasinoHawks, Taylor laid down his strategy for Paul, saying: "Anthony Joshua moves well. Jake moves well. But Jake is a little smaller, so if Jake Paul's gonna fight Anthony Joshua-go for it. Do it without regrets. Say that, 'I fought a world champ and a boxer who's a potential Hall of Famer.'". "Do it with no regrets, and have fun while you're at it. Win or lose-you're having fun. That's all that matters. It's David and Goliath. But if you want to beat Anthony Joshua, you just gotta stick and move, big dog. Don't sit there with him. Don't sit there with him. For the love of God, don't sit there with him."
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Jake Paul given blueprint to beat Anthony Joshua ahead of heavyweight showdown
Jake Paul has been told exactly what he must do if he is to beat Anthony Joshua in a boxing ring, as talk of a fight between the pair rumbles on Jake Paul has been advised to 'stick and move' if he hopes to defeat Anthony Joshua, as speculation about a potential fight continues to intensify. The 'Problem Child' is steadily making a name for himself in the boxing world. Last month, Paul secured one of his most significant victories against former middleweight world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Following this triumph, the YouTuber-turned-boxer reiterated his desire to fight Joshua. Paul has repeatedly challenged the two-time world champion over recent months. Earlier this year, the pair had a brief phone conversation and verbally agreed to a match. The American was present at Wembley Stadium for Oleksandr Usyk's recent victory over Daniel Dubois. In a chat with DAZN before the fight, Paul seemed to confirm that the bout with Joshua will occur next year. "Yeah 100 per cent it's going to happen. We're going to do the unthinkable and create one of the biggest fights in the history of boxing," he declared, reports All Out Fighting. "It's not even about it being realistic or not, it's going to happen so fasten your seatbelts. And when I knock him out I'll go down in the history books forever." As the prospect of a fight becomes increasingly likely, the American's former sparring partner - Anthony Taylor - has shared what the 'Problem Child' needs to do to triumph over the Brit. In an interview with CasinoHawks, Taylor offered his perspective on the potential heavyweight clash, stating: "Anthony Joshua moves well. Jake moves well. But Jake is a little smaller, so if Jake Paul's gonna fight Anthony Joshua-go for it. Do it without regrets. Say that, 'I fought a world champ and a boxer who's a potential Hall of Famer.'". "Do it with no regrets, and have fun while you're at it. Win or lose-you're having fun. That's all that matters. It's David and Goliath. But if you want to beat Anthony Joshua, you just gotta stick and move, big dog. Don't sit there with him. Don't sit there with him. For the love of God, don't sit there with him." Numerous critics are entirely opposed to the concept of the duo squaring off. However, Paul appears genuinely committed, even prepared to accept just ONE PER CENT of the fight purse. Joshua's coach, Ben Davison, recently offered his assessment of a potential bout between the pair - and he's similarly unenthusiastic about the prospect of the Brit facing the social media star. "I don't like all that," he told Boxing Scene. "First and foremost, how can people even talk about that? Two, where's the safety aspect in boxing? Do you know what I mean? That is a serious risk with something going wrong. Unfortunately, it might take something like that for people to be like, 'Hold on, we've got to reconfigure this'. But somebody would pass it; somebody would allow it; somebody would sanction it."
Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Conor McGregor drug test update has everyone saying the same thing
Conor McGregor seems to be gearing up for a sensational return to the UFC, but fans remain sceptical. The 37-year-old MMA star hasn't stepped into the Octagon since his loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 back in 2021. He was all set for a comeback at UFC 303 against Michael Chandler last year, but an injury during training forced him to bow out. Many supporters have lost faith in witnessing the ex-dual-weight UFC champ make a return to fighting. Yet, in recent months, McGregor has been teasing the possibility of a major comeback, posting several videos showing him training intensely for a potential fight. Despite the flurry of training updates, one key detail seemed absent - a documented drug test. According to All Out Fighting, McGregor has barely been tested since his scrapped match with Chandler. On Tuesday night, McGregor took to social media, sharing clips and images of himself undergoing blood tests and providing a urine sample for drug testing. "I gave my first blood test that is what the plaster is on my shoulder," he wrote alongside a video where he's seen exhaling towards the camera. I am ECSTATIC! I'm in SHAPE! #illtakeyourheadoffforreal #fullgrown @ufc #TheBig20." He also posted a photo of a blood testing kit on his Instagram story, along with snaps of his blood and urine samples being taken. In one picture, he's seen holding a cup of his sample, reports The Mirror. "I p*** excellence," he quipped. He later mentioned "blood tester on my yacht," before adding: "Blood from the shoulder." Despite these positive signs, fans remain sceptical. "I won't believe he's back until he's in the cage and the bell rings," one fan commented. Another stated: "He's not coming back," while a third responded: "Highly unlikely." Another fan remarked: "No he ain't. The fighting world has moved on." Conor McGregor (Image: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC) A further fan replied: "It's gotten to the point where I don't even care anymore and I was like his biggest fan." US president Donald Trump recently shocked the nation when he revealed plans to host a UFC event at the White House next year. McGregor himself is keen to compete at the event. It seems that the 37-year-old has everything mapped out as he targets two more UFC fights before transitioning to bare-knuckle boxing. This information comes from his business partner Dave Feldman - who is the president of BKFC, a promotion co-owned by McGregor. Feldman revealed that the Irishman has even re-entered the UFC testing pool. In a conversation with Ariel Helwani, Feldman confirmed McGregor's plan to fight next year. "He's got two fights left on his contract. He's got to get right," he said. The fighting world is abuzz with anticipation as Conor McGregor hints at a sensational return to the octagon. He confided to an insider, "The whole world is waiting. Is he going to get in shape and fight? He told me in person, he whispered in my ear, he said, 'I'm in the testing pool. I'm getting ready to make my comeback. I'm going to fight on that big card, then I'm going to have another fight, and then we can talk.'". Speculation about McGregor's next bout has intensified following Donald Trump's revelation of plans to host a UFC event at the White House, with fighters lining up to be part of this unprecedented occasion, including McGregor. In a patriotic social media post, the fighter expressed his excitement: "Happy 4th of July, USA. Excited with President Trump announcing a UFC fight event at the White House! I would be honoured! Count me in! !" This enthusiasm was mirrored by UFC president Dana White, who, after hearing from McGregor about the potential White House event, couldn't hide his delight, replying, "I love it!". McGregor doubled down on his commitment while attending a recent BKFC event, stating confidently, "It's looking like I'm headed to the Oval Office again. That's where I'm headed next." Dana White has also teased the possibility of McGregor sharing the spotlight with ex-heavyweight champ Jon Jones, who has made a swift U-turn from retirement just days after hanging up his gloves. "McGregor has gotten himself to a point where he is and will be, whether he stops fighting or not, one of the biggest superstars in sports, period. He's gotten to a level of success in his life where he has to, I think, be motivated by something," White shared on the Full Send podcast.
