Eddie Hearn Says Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua Is “Very Good Chance” for Early 2026
Hi, I’m Jaden Patel. Let’s all take a moment to pretend we’re shocked.
Eddie Hearn, the longtime promoter of former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, told TMZ Sports that negotiations with Jake Paul’s team are real and there is a “very good chance” the fight happens early next year. Hearn made the remarks on the TMZ Sports TV show with Babcock, confirming that discussions with Paul’s camp — including partner Nikisa and management MVP — have moved past trash talk into serious planning. Hearn’s frankness provides a rare promoter-level endorsement that this bout is more than just headline-grabbing bravado.
To set expectations: Anthony Joshua is a 35-year-old former unified heavyweight champion, standing at 6’6″ and typically around 260 pounds. His résumé includes Olympic gold and a longstanding place among boxing’s elite. Jake Paul, 28, is a social-media–born boxer with a 12-1 record and seven knockouts. He is substantially smaller than Joshua, but he has built a pay-per-view machine and insists he can compete at the highest level.
Hearn’s message was equal parts warning and admission. He said he initially assumed Jake Paul was simply creating headlines, but after conversations with Paul’s handlers, Hearn realized they actually believe they can beat Joshua. He pointed out the risk for Paul: he would face “AJ at 100% of his best and most dangerous,” not some down-market version of the former champ. That’s an important distinction from the Tyson exhibition Paul fought; Joshua is an elite, elite-level heavyweight fighter whose power and technique are very real.
Why does this matter beyond the memes? Hearn argued a Paul-Joshua matchup would be one of the biggest pay-per-view events in boxing — possibly the biggest — thanks to Paul’s pop-culture reach and Joshua’s athletic pedigree. Hearn cited the viewership numbers from other crossover spectacles as context, noting that even controversial events can draw massive global audiences. For promoters, that equals dollars; for fighters, it equals fame and risk in equal measure.
Jake Paul’s camp has been unapologetically bullish. Paul himself has repeatedly embraced the “madman” narrative, insisting he can topple established boxers. Hearn used a mix of admiration and admonishment in his comments: he acknowledged Paul’s bravado while emphasizing how dangerous AJ can be. In short: yes, the fight might happen, and if it does, it will be a high-stakes showdown rather than a friendly showcase.
Practical hurdles remain. Contracts, weight classes, promotional deals, purses, and broadcast arrangements all have to be finalized. Both camps will have to agree on venue, undercard, and a date that fits Joshua’s competitive calendar and Paul’s rapidly evolving brand. Hearn’s mention of “early next year” signals an aggressive timeline, which suggests both sides are motivated to strike while the media heat is high.
For boxing purists this is a grudgingly accepted reality: modern boxing economics often reward spectacle as much as skill. For the casual fan it’s a tantalizing mismatch to dissect. For both fighters it’s a career-defining moment. Will Paul’s audacity meet Joshua’s experience in the ring, or will it be another chapter in the long book of celebrity-turned-boxer experiments? Hearn thinks there is a “very good chance” we will find out soon.
So keep your popcorn ready and your skepticism intact. Tune in next season for high drama, contract signings, and possibly a fight that will have the sports world arguing over taste and legitimacy in equal measure.
Well, there you have it. Humanity at its finest.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and TMZ, TMZ Sports
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
