British-Nigerian boxing star Anthony Joshua has issued a stern warning to American YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul following a taunt about his previous knockout defeats.
Paul revealed that he and Joshua had been exchanging private messages earlier this year, during which he mocked Joshua over his knockout losses.
However, Joshua responded with a clear and menacing tone, saying, “He said, ‘I can’t wait to fight. You’re gonna be fighting for your life and you’ll know the feeling that I’ve gone through.’ Or something like that,” Paul said.
The brewing tension has fueled speculation about a possible future clash between both men. Paul expressed his desire to face Joshua in front of a hostile British crowd, saying, “My first fight was in front of an English crowd and it’s rowdy. I love walking into the lions’ den and so me versus Anthony Joshua, 100,000 people chanting ‘f*** Jake Paul’ would be pretty fun for me.” Joshua, who has not fought since suffering a knockout defeat to fellow Brit Daniel Dubois in September, is currently recovering from elbow surgery. Despite his recent inactivity, he remains a formidable presence in the heavyweight scene.
Paul, meanwhile, continues to blur the lines between entertainment and elite boxing. His controversial exhibition bout against boxing legend Mike Tyson was watched by over 100 million viewers on Netflix.
Paul won the eight-round fight, though it drew widespread criticism due to Tyson’s age. As he returned to the ring on Sunday, beating former middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in a dominant points victory, Paul remains focused on climbing the ranks.
“I think it’s back to the drawing board after this, especially depending on what the WBC and WBA rank me after I win,” Paul said. “If they rank me in the position where I can go for a world championship, then we’re gonna try and get that done.”
A potential fight between Paul and Joshua is reportedly “looking very likely” for 2026, with Paul’s business partner, Nakisa Bidarian, stating that they will meet with Matchroom while in New York to discuss the possibility.
Potential Fight Details
- Fight Date: 2026
- Fight Location: Possibly in the UK, in front of a large crowd
- Fight Significance: A win for Paul would be a significant step up in competition, while a win for Joshua would demonstrate his ability to bounce back from recent setbacks
The prospect of a Paul vs. Joshua fight has generated significant interest, with many fans eagerly anticipating the potential clash between the two fighters.