what might become one of the most polarizing and sensational events in boxing history, Jake Paul has set the internet ablaze by claiming that a fight with Anthony Joshua, the former unified heavyweight champion of the world, is not just fantasy—it’s in active discussion for 2026.

Coming off a dominant win over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., the most credible opponent of his young boxing career, Paul dropped the bombshell in a post-fight interview with DAZN. While fans were still processing the fact that Paul now owns a legitimate victory over a former world champion, the 28-year-old YouTuber-turned-prizefighter escalated his ambitions to stratospheric levels.

“Anthony Joshua is a wild fight, but I want that challenge,” Paul told DAZN. “We’ve been DM-ing back and forth. He wants to make it happen. He called me up, and it’s looking very likely for next year.”

Just like that, one of the most surreal matchups imaginable is suddenly being treated as plausible. But the question everyone is asking: is this a joke—or is Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua about to become the next billion-dollar box office fight?

The Callout Heard Around the World

While many expected Jake Paul to chase a cruiserweight title next—especially a showdown with Badou Jack—he flipped the script by calling out a heavyweight icon. And not just any heavyweight, but Anthony Joshua, the 6-foot-6 former Olympic gold medalist, who recently regained momentum with back-to-back wins and still remains one of boxing’s most recognizable global figures.

Jake Paul, who weighed in at 200 lbs for his fight against Chavez Jr., would have to move up significantly in weight—potentially facing a 30 to 40-pound disadvantage. Yet, Paul insists he’s inspired by Deontay Wilder, a former heavyweight champion who also operated at a relatively light 215 lbs.

“Anything is possible,” Paul said. “Joshua is a beast, but I believe in myself. That’s what this journey has always been about—proving people wrong.”

Anthony Joshua: Entertaining the Circus or Mastering the Market?

To some, it’s unfathomable that Anthony Joshua would even consider such a spectacle. After all, he’s a decorated two-time world champion and the face of Matchroom Boxing. But if there’s one thing we’ve learned about boxing in the 2020s, it’s that entertainment sells just as well—if not better—than legacy.

With Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk potentially nearing the end of their careers, and the heavyweight title scene always in flux, Joshua could see a fight with Jake Paul as a highly lucrative interlude—one that doesn’t necessarily derail his own ambitions, but could shatter Pay-Per-View records globally.

“Joshua’s team is smart,” one boxing promoter said anonymously. “They know what a circus this would be—but they also know it could be the most profitable fight in history.”

A Billion-Dollar Business or a Blatant Farce?

The combat sports world is sharply divided. On one hand, traditionalists are horrified at the idea. Jake Paul, despite being 12-1 with 7 KOs, is still seen by many purists as a celebrity intruder in a sacred sport. Facing off against a fighter with Olympic pedigree and world titles? It feels sacrilegious.

But the numbers don’t lie. Jake Paul is one of the biggest draws in boxing right now, especially among younger demographics and casual fans. His fights generate headlines, social media traffic, and—most importantly—massive revenue. A fight against Anthony Joshua would likely take that to levels the sport hasn’t seen since Mayweather vs. McGregor.

“It’s a freak show—but it’s a freak show that could gross $500 million,” said a DAZN executive. “If they do it at Wembley, it could be bigger than anything we’ve seen in modern UK boxing history.”

Can Jake Paul Actually Survive in the Ring with Joshua?

Let’s be clear: on paper, this fight is a mismatch of epic proportions. Anthony Joshua is not a retired MMA fighter or a faded boxer looking for one last payday. He’s still in his physical prime and remains a legitimate top-five heavyweight.

Jake Paul, despite his improvements and work ethic, is still a novice compared to Joshua. He has never been hit by someone with AJ’s power. He has never fought someone taller and heavier than him, let alone with elite footwork and combinations.

“If this fight actually happens, Joshua could end it in one round,” former cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew said. “It wouldn’t be fair—but it might still sell.”

Paul, of course, remains defiant.

“People said I’d never beat Anderson Silva. Said I couldn’t survive against Chavez Jr. Here I am. I’m not doing this for clout. I want greatness.”

What It Means for Boxing

If this spectacle becomes reality, boxing could once again find itself at a crossroads between tradition and transformation. The idea that a YouTube celebrity can cross into the heavyweight elite might be laughable—but it also reflects a new age where narratives, personalities, and storylines matter as much as skill.

Jake Paul represents the future of boxing as a business. Anthony Joshua represents the old guard, still elite but potentially willing to participate in high-reward entertainment. Whether this fight enhances or cheapens the sport will depend on perspective—but its potential to attract millions of new fans cannot be denied.

Conclusion: Madness or Masterstroke?

Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua might sound ridiculous—but so did Mayweather vs. McGregor, Logan Paul vs. Mayweather, and Jake Paul vs. Anderson Silva. Each time, the circus came to town—and each time, it sold.

If this fight becomes official, expect massive fanfare, furious debate, and record-shattering viewership numbers. Whether it ends in a first-round KO or a surprisingly competitive battle, one thing is certain:

Jake Paul is no longer just a sideshow—he’s driving the main event. And if Anthony Joshua steps into that ring, the line between sport and spectacle will be blurred like never before.