7 days ago
Anthony Joshua is in talks to stage the most LUCRATIVE fight of his career to take on Jake Paul, reveals Eddie Hearn
Anthony Joshua is in talks for what could prove to be the most lucrative fight of his boxing career against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul.
Former two-time heavyweight boxing champion Joshua hasn't been in the ring since he was knocked out by Daniel Dubois back in September.
Joshua, 35, had elbow surgery in May and is looking to make a return to the ring, with the option of taking on Paul becoming an increasing possibility in 2026.
'At first I thought it was a publicity stunt from Jake and now the more I speak to them the more I actually understand - Jake Paul thinks he can beat Anthony Joshua,' Hearn told BBC Sport.
'This is a step too far. So be careful what you wish for, because this isn't a game.
'This isn't YouTube. This isn't Disney. This is the danger zone.'
Paul has shaken up the world of boxing since entering the ring and he has gone on to call out the sport's biggest names, including heavyweight champion of the world Oleksandr Usyk.
He has one single loss on his record, losing to Tommy Fury, and has competed at cruiserweight, not the heavyweight level that Joshua has been accustomed to in his career.
Paul is convinced he can become a world champion but Hearn insists that will 'never' happen.
Now the prospect of fighting Joshua - likely to be in a major sports stadium in the United States - is becoming an increasingly appealing option.
Paul previously fought an ageing Mike Tyson, in his prime one of boxing's all-time greats but far from that in a fight with modified rules against Paul at the AT&T Stadium in Texas.
While many fans have long called for a Battle of Britain between Tyson Fury and Joshua, Hearn added that the money on offer to fight Paul is eye-watering.
Hearn has been the long-time promoter of the former two-time world heavyweight champion
'Probably right up there [as his biggest fight purse],' Hearn added.
'[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.'
Paul has had just 13 fights compared to Joshua's 32 professional bouts, which include battles against Wladimir Klitschko, Joseph Parker, Alexander Povetkin and Usyk.
