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Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is in talks to fight YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul.<\/b><\/p>\n
Joshua, 36, has not fought since he was stopped in the fifth round by British rival Daniel Dubois in September last year.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“Our focus is on 2026,” added Hearn. “We have a big fight planned for February and a big fight hopefully against Tyson Fury<\/a> next year.<\/p>\n “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.”<\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n Paul, 28, was due to face lightweight world champion Gervonta Davis in an exhibition bout on 14 November before the fight was cancelled.<\/p>\n The decision came after a lawsuit was filed against Davis by his ex-girlfriend<\/a> accusing him of battery, aggravated battery, false imprisonment, kidnapping and intentional infliction of emotional distress.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n