Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed that discussions are currently in motion for a high-profile bout between Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul — with strong backing from Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority chairman, Turki Alalshikh.
Speaking to Boxing News during the official weigh-in for Ring III, Hearn said the talks have gained momentum after a recent conversation with Alalshikh, a key figure behind several major boxing events hosted in Saudi Arabia.
“After speaking to His Excellency last night… in this mad world that we live in, I wouldn’t be surprised,” Hearn remarked when asked about the potential clash between the former heavyweight champion and the YouTuber-turned-boxer.
Once considered far-fetched, the potential bout began to feel more real after Paul publicly called out Joshua earlier this year. In March, the American provocateur boldly claimed he would knock out Joshua, igniting buzz across the boxing world.
Fuel was added to the fire in April when Paul revealed during a press conference that Joshua had privately reached out to him, sparking further speculation.
“Our focus is to fight Tyson Fury, but (Joshua) needs a fight before then. If that’s Jake Paul — and if the fans want it — the numbers would be huge. The world would tune in,” said Hearn, adding that Joshua himself isn’t opposed to the idea.
“I spoke to AJ about it, and he said, ‘If you want me to flatten Jake Paul, I’ll do it.’ And I know that would make a lot of people happy — but that’s exactly what Mr Paul thrives on,” Hearn added.
Joshua has been inactive since his surprise defeat to Daniel Dubois earlier this year. While his long-term target remains a clash with Tyson Fury, Hearn admits Joshua needs a tune-up fight in the meantime.
However, not everyone in Matchroom shares the same level of optimism. CEO Frank Smith took a more reserved stance during an interview with Ariel Helwani. “I think there’s a chance you’ll see Anthony Joshua this year,” he said — but was quick to downplay Paul as a serious opponent.
“It’s not Jake Paul. If I were Anthony Joshua and got offered a fight against a guy who was a Disney star a few years ago — no longer — I wouldn’t take it,” Smith said.
Addressing Paul’s repeated call-outs, Smith added, “Fighting AJ is a completely different level compared to fighting a 60-year-old Mike Tyson. Let’s be realistic.”
