Anthony Joshua and boxing influencer Jake Paul are said to be close to an agreement to fight each other later this year.
What sounded more like a joke for a long time could soon come true: Former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is set to make his ring comeback against YouTube boxer Jake Paul. As reported by “The Ring”, the event is set to take place in Miami in December. Joshua last stood in the ring in September 2024 and lost to then IBF champion Daniel Dubois by knockout in the fifth round.
Already negotiated in the summer
According to “The Ring”, the issue of broadcasting the duel has also been resolved, although the magazine refers to unnamed sources. Joshua and Paul had already negotiated a fight in the summer, but no deal was reached. “AJ” boxes exclusively on the streaming service DAZN, while Paul’s boxing matches can be seen on Netflix.
For Paul, who is also head of the boxing stable “Most Valuable Promotions”, Joshua would be the biggest opponent yet in sporting terms. So far, the boxing YouTube star has held his own against washed-up (ex-)professionals, MMA fighters and 59-year-old boxing idol Mike Tyson. Paul’s only defeat in 13 fights was against Tyson Fury’s cousin Tommy Fury.
The (show) boxing match between Joshua and Paul is expected to bring the two protagonists a mega payday. The social media star’s disappointing “duel” against Mike Tyson already achieved 65 million simultaneous live streams on Netflix.
Sportingly worthless fight
Jake Paul (1.85 m, approx. 95 kg) was originally supposed to fight Gervonta “Tank” Davis in December, but the fight against the lightweight world champion from Baltimore was canceled a few days ago . Now, with Joshua, he will apparently be facing an opponent who is around 60 kilograms heavier and twelve centimetres taller than Davis. In addition, AJ is still regarded as one of the best punchers in the heavyweight division.
From Joshua’s point of view, however, a duel against “The Problemchild” is worthless in sporting terms. According to his promoter Eddie Hearn, the two-time heavyweight world champion was supposed to fight a build-up fight this year, but it doesn’t look like that will happen at the moment.
Text: Frank Schwantes