Jake Paul’s meteoric rise from YouTuber to legitimate boxing contender has never lacked for controversy or spectacle, but the latest developments surrounding a potential mega-fight with Anthony Joshua have sent shockwaves through the boxing world. After Paul’s convincing June 27, 2025 victory over Julio César Chávez Jr., the brash American found himself ranked No. 14 in the WBA cruiserweight division—a milestone that few could have predicted when he first laced up gloves for celebrity exhibition bouts. But as the dust settles on his biggest win yet, the boxing community is buzzing with talk of a blockbuster showdown: Jake Paul versus Anthony Joshua, possibly at the iconic Wembley Stadium.
Yet, as negotiations heat up and rumors swirl, a significant hurdle looms. The British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC) may not greenlight the fight as a professional contest, largely due to Paul’s relative inexperience and the mammoth leap in weight class. "Organizers would have to apply to the British Boxing Board of Control to consider. Fight would likely take place in the US," explained Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s longtime promoter, in an interview with Sky Sports. The Board’s hesitation is understandable—Paul, despite his improved skills and growing resume, has never fought as a heavyweight, while Joshua boasts a decorated career as a former unified world champion.
Still, Hearn isn’t backing down from the possibility. He’s made it crystal clear: the matchup is real, the talks are ongoing, and if all goes to plan, a deal could materialize in 2026. "The matchup is real, the talks are real, and a deal could materialize in 2026," Hearn emphasized, underscoring just how seriously both camps are taking the prospect of this crossover clash. Should it come to fruition, boxing fans can expect one of the most polarizing and lucrative bouts in recent memory—a collision of traditional boxing pedigree and social media star power that would play out on a truly global stage.
Paul’s journey to this point has been anything but conventional. After dispatching Chávez Jr., a former world champion, by unanimous decision, he silenced many doubters who had dismissed his previous wins as little more than sideshow attractions. The victory not only legitimized his place among cruiserweight contenders but also set the stage for even loftier ambitions. Early chatter quickly placed Paul on a collision course with Anthony Joshua, a man whose own career has seen dizzying highs and painful lows.
Joshua, for his part, is no stranger to the spotlight. The British heavyweight captured the imagination of fight fans worldwide with his dramatic rise to the top, claiming the WBA, IBF, and WBO World Heavyweight titles on two separate occasions. However, his most recent outing ended in disappointment—a knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in September 2024. Since then, Joshua has been absent from the ring, fueling speculation about his next move and whether he’s hungry for another run at the top.
Enter Jake Paul, whose brash persona and outspoken confidence have made him both a lightning rod for criticism and a magnet for massive pay-per-view audiences. Paul’s post-fight behavior has only added fuel to the fire. On August 9, 2025, he took to Instagram to issue a stern warning: "If anyone says my fights are staged you will be sued and secondly you’re a jealous ass peasant who cannot even believe how good I am at this sport and you should go to church to fix your insecurities," Paul declared. He added, "I pray for you because I have so much love [for] humanity and that includes the people who are against me—genuinely I pray for you and I want the world to be a better place. You people are filled with a disease and I’m here to help you cure it."
Paul’s fiery statement was a direct response to British commentator Piers Morgan, who has been openly skeptical of Paul’s boxing credentials. Their feud reached a boiling point in June, when Paul stormed out of an interview after Morgan questioned whether he could "last 10 seconds" against a prime Mike Tyson. Paul shot back, "That’s what you think. You don’t actually know that. You can’t sit there and state that fact, it’s not true. I think anything is possible. That’s why self-belief is the most powerful thing in the world." He didn’t stop there, calling Morgan a "fat a" and challenging his own fitness.
The war of words escalated when Morgan took to Twitter (now X) to label Paul’s fights as "boring staged bullst" and to criticize his choice of opponents as "older fighters way past their prime." Morgan even called the Chávez Jr. bout an "unwatchable farce," though he later deleted the tweet. In a subsequent clarification, Morgan said, "I did not intend to suggest that the outcome was predetermined and certainly didn’t mean to suggest anything illegal. But if reports are correct that Jake is now in negotiations to fight Anthony Joshua, that would obviously be a seriously credible bout against one of the best heavyweights in the world. Jake is welcome to come on Uncensored to discuss this, and verbally slug it out with me, anytime."
While the potential Joshua-Paul fight has grabbed most of the headlines, other names have been floated as possible opponents for Paul. Adrien Broner, a former world champion in multiple weight classes, recently expressed interest in fighting Paul, though there are currently no serious talks underway. For now, all signs point to Anthony Joshua as Paul’s next big challenge—a fight that would test not only Paul’s skills but also his ability to withstand the power and pedigree of an elite heavyweight.
But before fans get too carried away, the road ahead is anything but straightforward. The British Boxing Board of Control’s potential reluctance to sanction the bout as a professional contest could force organizers to look beyond the UK, with the United States emerging as the likely host should the fight get the green light. Safety concerns, particularly regarding Paul’s inexperience at heavyweight, remain paramount. Even so, the mere prospect of this matchup has electrified the boxing world, pitting a new-age celebrity boxer against a battle-tested champion in what could be the ultimate litmus test for both men.
As negotiations continue and speculation mounts, one thing is certain: the proposed Paul vs. Joshua fight has already become one of the most talked-about potential events in recent boxing history. Whether it happens at Wembley, in Las Vegas, or not at all, the anticipation—and the debate—shows no sign of slowing down. Boxing purists and casual fans alike will be watching closely to see if this unprecedented clash of worlds becomes a reality in 2026.
