Reports: Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua are Close to Finalizing a Deal for December Showdown
By Eddie Sanchez
Jake Paul is potentially taking himself from one extreme to another by moving toward a December fight against two-time former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.
Joshua, 28-4 (25 KO), was in serious talks to take a tune-up fight on the November 22 Riyadh Season card in Saudi Arabia, according to a fight official, but he’s now closer to returning from his four-knockdown KO loss to Dubois in September 2024 versus Paul.
Paul, 12-1 (7 KO), was due to fight unbeaten WBA lightweight champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis on Friday (11/7) in Miami on Netflix, but Davis was wrapped up in another alleged domestic violence episode and Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions yanked him from the exhibition fight.
Paul has stated before he wanted to fight Joshua, but following his victories over MMA fighters and other lesser foes, few took him seriously.
“Wow! I finally got to give him credit,” DAZN boxing analyst and former 154lbs champion Sergio Mora told BoxingScene Wednesday following a report by his colleague Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated that Paul-Joshua negotiations were intensifying, which was followed by a report from The Ring on the topic.
“This is a legitimate challenge: Going from a 5-5 lightweight, he’s going to bully around to a former heavyweight champion who’s likely going to bully him around. I’ve got to respect a man who’s signed up to get his ass whooped on national television.”
“I don’t know how it could even get sanctioned,” said a trainer who has worked with heavyweights. “[Joshua is] one of the most dangerous punchers in the sport.”
In March 2024, Joshua knocked down former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in the first round and finished him with a wicked second-round punch.
Paul has turned away from testing with the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association in favor of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, an official shared Wednesday.
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