Eddie Hearn: “Jake believes Joshua can’t take a punch anymore”

Matchroom Boxing head Eddie Hearn shared his thoughts on a potential bout between his fighter, former Heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua, and influencer-turned-boxer Jake Paul.

“I don’t know what to say other than it’s just madness. I can’t sit here and tell you it’s a 50–50 fight. The whole idea is strange. I think it’s very dangerous for Jake Paul. Basically, fighters and fans are saying: ‘Please, AJ, just get in there and take this guy out of boxing so we can all get back to normal life.’

And Jake Paul’s fans, for some reason, believe he can beat Anthony Joshua. The funniest part of all this is that Jake Paul genuinely believes he will beat Anthony Joshua. That’s why I think we’ll see this fight — because Jake Paul and his ‘fun crew’ are convinced that AJ can’t take a punch anymore, and that now is the perfect time to face him.

I’m saying: be careful what you wish for, because this is about as dangerous as it gets. It’s like watching David Blaine in a box and wondering if he’ll get out in time — only this isn’t David Blaine, it’s stepping in against one of the biggest punchers of our generation. And if you’re going in there genuinely thinking you’re going to win, that’s even more dangerous.

From a commercial standpoint, this fight will smash all records. I can’t believe we’re even sitting here negotiating it. But I really think you’ll see it in early 2026.

AJ says to me: ‘You want me to get in there and knock out Jake Paul? No problem.’ That’s it. That’s where we are right now,” Hearn said.

Anthony Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs) last fought in September, when he was stopped in the fifth round by Daniel Dubois. In June, Jake Paul (12-1, 7 KOs) defeated Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. by unanimous decision.

Photo: Athlon Sports