A Career-High Payday for Joshua or a Risky Gamble?

Promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed that talks are ongoing between two-time heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua and YouTube sensation Jake Paul over a highly anticipated boxing match in 2026. This potential fight has sparked both excitement and concern within the boxing community, with many questioning the wisdom of pitting a seasoned professional against a social media personality.

According to Hearn, the fight could be a career-high payday for Joshua, with some estimates suggesting that the Briton could earn as much as £40m or more. However, Hearn also warned that the fight would come with a significant risk, stating that “this isn’t YouTube, this isn’t Disney, this is the danger zone.” Joshua, who has a professional record of 32 wins and one loss, is known for his formidable punching power and has fought against some of the best heavyweight boxers in the world.

Jake Paul’s team, led by CEO Nakisa Bardarian, has denied claims that the fight would be staged with safety conditions, such as larger gloves or reduced rounds. Instead, Bardarian has insisted that the fight would be a “straight up professional fight,” with Paul looking to improve his skills and neutralize Joshua’s powerful punches. Paul, who has a professional record of 13 wins and one loss, has been training with some of the top boxing coaches in the world and has shown significant improvement in his recent fights.

While some have questioned Paul’s ability to compete at the highest level, Bardarian pointed to his recent fights against ex-MMA fighters and his single loss to Tommy Fury as evidence of his growing skills. Paul’s fights against the likes of Ben Askren and Tyron Woodley have showcased his ability to take a punch and his willingness to push himself to the limit in the ring.

However, Eddie Hearn was more skeptical, stating that “I don’t think he’ll go and win world titles, never.” Hearn has seen many fighters try to make the transition from social media fame to professional boxing and has witnessed firsthand the difficulties they face. “You can’t just step into the ring with a guy like Anthony Joshua and expect to come out on top,” he said.

The potential fight has sparked concerns about safety, particularly in light of the recent death of Japanese boxer Shigetoshi Kotari, who died from injuries sustained in a bout earlier this month. However, Bardarian likened the potential match-up to when ex-UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou crossed into boxing, pointing out that Ngannou was able to go the distance with Anthony Joshua before ultimately being knocked out.

The fight, if it comes to fruition, is expected to take place in the United States, potentially at a stadium with a capacity of up to 72,000 spectators. While the details of the fight are still to be confirmed, one thing is certain: it would be a major event in the world of boxing, with the potential to be Joshua’s “easiest ever fight and potentially his biggest payday.”