Say this for Jake Paul: For a boxing figure who has been labeled as a YouTuber, an interloper and a “fake” fighter, he sure has his share of contenders lining up to step in the ring with him.
On a day when designs appeared to be underway to replace three-division champion Gervonta Davis in his scheduled November 14 exhibition with Paul in Miami, welterweight Ryan Garcia was reportedly approached with a deal to step in. But he apparently wasn’t the only possibility.
Asked on the DAZN broadcast of Saturday’s Lenier Pero-Jordan Thompson card about the possibility of former undisputed heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua facing Paul, Matchroom Boxing head Eddie Hearn indicated that initial talks had already begun.
“I've spoken to Nakisa [Bidarian],” Hearn said of the CEO of Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions. “You know, we are … we're available, subject to, of course, the global home of boxing [DAZN], of which we have exclusivity with, and Joshua has exclusivity with.”
That would complicate any scenario in which Joshua might replace Davis on the November 14 show, which will be broadcast by Netflix. To say nothing of the fact that Joshua may not be ready or interested in stepping in, promotional and broadcast partners aside, with the fight less than two weeks out.
But it’s a matchup that, having already been batted around and negotiated by the sides, continues to have legs.
No matter his perceived reputation within the sport, Paul, 12-1 (7 KOs), has proven to be a legitimate cash cow. Joshua himself remains a huge draw, and because his status as an active fighter and a former heavyweight champ would likely amplify a Paul fight beyond that of a Davis-Paul exhibition, Joshua might find it hard to pass on the easiest money he will have made in his career.
“If you're asking me, do we take the fight?” Hearn said. “Of course we take the fight. It would be a nice way to just end this little journey. Does Jake Paul really want to fight Anthony Joshua? He's a crazy guy. He's a crazy guy. Maybe he thinks he can catch AJ on the fly. He hasn't really been in training camp.”
Joshua, 28-4 (25 KOs), hasn’t fought since his knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in September 2024. At 36, he might welcome a cash-out exhibition while still near his earning peak.
For Paul – a natural cruiserweight who could continue making mountains of money in exhibitions against celebrities, retired stars or even smaller active fighters – the appeal of the matchup is less clear. Davis, although in an elite class, is a 135lbs lightweight. Joshua, who fought Dubois at 252¼lbs, would be the biggest and most dangerous opponent for Paul yet – and by far.
“Nothing too much to report to you right now, but should the opportunity present itself, it would be a huge fight,” Hearn said of Joshua-Paul. “And, you know, never say never.”
Jason Langendorf is the former Boxing Editor of ESPN.com, was a contributor to Ringside Seat and the Queensberry Rules, and has written about boxing for Vice, The Guardian, Chicago Sun-Times and other publications. A member of the Boxing Writers Association of America, he can be found at LinkedIn and followed on X and Bluesky.
