TalkSPORT boxing pundits and Fight Night hosts Spencer Oliver and Gareth A. Davies have cautioned that Anthony Joshua’s reputation would take a major hit if he chose to fight Jake Paul next.
Paul recently took a jab at Joshua’s skills and chin in a social media call-out, prompting the former two-time heavyweight champion to respond cryptically on Instagram, hinting at a potential clash in 2026 after a five-minute phone conversation with Paul.
Joshua, who suffered a shocking defeat to Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium last September, has not fought since. His initial plan was to face Tyson Fury, but the ‘Gypsy King’ announced his retirement, leaving Joshua searching for his next opponent.
While Oliver and Davies acknowledge that a fight with Paul would generate massive pay-per-view numbers and financial rewards, they insist Joshua should focus on more significant challenges in the heavyweight division.
“One thing that Jake Paul does is draw huge numbers,” Oliver said on talkSPORT’s Fight Night. “There’s not a fighter that wouldn’t fight him because there’s huge money on the table—that’s the fact.
“But do we want to see it? No. I don’t think we could. I think… no, I’m going to rephrase that—I don’t think we should see it, at least not anytime soon.”
