In a seismic shift that's sent shockwaves through the boxing community, British heavyweight colossus Anthony Joshua has dramatically opened the door to a potential mega-fight against social media phenomenon Jake Paul.
The two-time world champion, known for his devastating knockouts and Olympic gold pedigree, dropped the bombshell revelation during an exclusive interview on The Jonathan Ross Show, leaving fans and pundits alike reeling at the possibility.
From Dismissal to Serious Negotiations
Joshua's stance marks a complete reversal from his previous position, where he openly dismissed the idea of facing the YouTube star turned professional boxer. Now, the Watford-born fighter appears ready to embrace the new era of combat sports entertainment.
'The money's good, it's a circus fight, but it's good money,' Joshua stated with surprising candour, acknowledging the financial windfall such an event would generate while maintaining his professional standards.
Eddie Hearn's Cautious Stance
Promoter Eddie Hearn, the mastermind behind Joshua's legendary career, expressed reservations about the potential matchup. While recognising Paul's legitimate progress in the ring, Hearn emphasised Joshua's current focus on reclaiming world championship glory against established contenders.
'He's not just a social media fighter anymore,' Hearn admitted regarding Paul's development, 'but Anthony's path leads back to world titles, not circus events.'
The Financial Earthquake
The potential purse for a Joshua-Paul showdown represents a financial earthquake in boxing economics. With Paul's previous fights generating nine-figure revenues and Joshua's established pay-per-view dominance, the bout could shatter existing revenue records for the sport.
This development comes as Joshua prepares for his September return to the ring at Wembley Stadium, where he'll face either Filip Hrgović or Daniel Dubois in a crucial heavyweight clash.
Changing Landscape of Boxing
Joshua's willingness to entertain the fight signals a fundamental shift in how established champions view the new generation of crossover attractions. Where previous champions might have dismissed such matchups outright, Joshua appears pragmatic about the evolving business of boxing.
'This is a whole new game now,' Joshua remarked, acknowledging the changing landscape where social media influence and traditional boxing credentials increasingly collide.
While nothing is confirmed, Joshua's openness has set the boxing world ablaze with speculation. The potential clash represents more than just another fight—it symbolises the collision between boxing's old guard and the new era of combat sports entertainment.
