Boxing World Buzzing: Joshua vs. Paul Before Fury Showdown?
The boxing world is abuzz with news surrounding Anthony Joshua's next moves. While a highly anticipated clash with Tyson Fury remains the ultimate goal, promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed talks for a potential fight between Joshua and YouTuber-turned-professional boxer Jake Paul.
This news comes on the heels of Oleksandr Usyk's impressive victory over Daniel Dubois, where Usyk retained his titles with a knockout in the fifth round. The Usyk-Dubois fight took place at Wembley Stadium in London, the same venue Jake Paul teased as a potential location for a future bout with Anthony Joshua.
Hearn stated that a Fury fight is unlikely before Spring or Summer of 2026, prompting the search for an interim opponent for Joshua. Jake Paul, fresh off a win against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., has emerged as a surprising contender. Paul himself has fueled the speculation, confidently stating that a fight with Joshua "is gonna happen" and that he will "create one of the biggest fights in the history of boxing."
While some may dismiss Paul as a serious threat, he is currently ranked No. 14 in the WBA cruiserweight division. He has faced notable names, albeit those past their prime or without extensive professional boxing experience. A fight against Joshua would undoubtedly be a significant step up in competition for Paul.
Joshua, a two-time unified world heavyweight champion, is looking to bounce back from a loss to Daniel Dubois. Whether Joshua will face Jake Paul next remains to be seen, but the possibility has definitely ignited the boxing world.
Usyk Defeats Dubois
In related news, Oleksandr Usyk defeated Daniel Dubois by knockout in round five. The fight saw moments of brilliance from Usyk, who ultimately proved too strong for Dubois. Usyk landed a crushing left hand that Dubois could not recover from, securing the victory.