Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua Negotiating a 2026 Bout

American influencer-boxer Jake Paul (12-1, 7 KO) says he wants to test himself at Heavyweight—and has named Britain’s former world champion Anthony Joshua (28-4, 25 KO) as the target. According to Paul, the two are already in contact and do not rule out fighting next year.

“I’m definitely not a heavyweight, but I’ll still take the challenge.

Look at Deontay Wilder—he was beating those guys while weighing only 215 pounds (97.5 kg). Yes, he’s about two meters tall, yet anything is possible. I like the challenge.

People criticise me: ‘Fight someone in their prime, someone who’s a real monster!’ I think they just want to see me lose. That’s really the whole point.

A bout with Anthony Joshua is a crazy challenge, but I want to do it. We’re constantly messaging; he wants it to happen, he called me—and there’s a strong chance it will be next year.”

In the night of 29 June Paul defeated Julio César Chávez Jr. by unanimous decision and named his preferred future opponents.

Joshua last fought in September, when he was knocked out by Daniel Dubois. In May he underwent elbow surgery and plans to return to the ring in the autumn.

Photo: talkSPORT