Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is in talks to fight YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul.
Joshua, 36, has not fought since he was stopped in the fifth round by British rival Daniel Dubois in September last year.
Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, said in August it was likely Joshua’s next fight would be against Paul – and on Thursday confirmed that talks had taken place between the two camps.
Media outlets reported on Wednesday that a fight between the pair was almost a done deal, but Hearn told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast that “everyone has jumped the gun” with these claims.
“Our focus is on 2026,” added Hearn. “We have a big fight planned for February and a big fight hopefully against Tyson Fury next year.
“We may run out in 2025. We were just going to have a low key fight somewhere – if that is going to destroy the run of Mr Paul and make tens of millions of dollars in the process, then maybe. Nothing is confirmed yet.”
Any fight between the pair would face sanctioning questions given the difference in experience between the two fighters and is unlikely to be considered as a professional bout. An exhibition fight is the most plausible outcome.
Paul, 28, was due to face lightweight world champion Gervonta Davis in an exhibition bout on 14 November before the fight was cancelled.
The decision came after a lawsuit was filed against Davis by his ex-girlfriend accusing him of battery, aggravated battery, false imprisonment, kidnapping and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
