Promoter Eddie Hearn could face a problem with his plans for Anthony Joshua in 2026 if he loses to Jake Paul next month on December 19. He says Paul (12-1, 7 KOs) “is getting ripped to shreds,” but it may not play out the way he hopes.
Why Joshua can’t afford a slip
Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs) takes this fight for the money and to increase his profile for a possible fight against Tyson Fury in 2026. With the buzz that the fight against Jake will create worldwide, it could motivate ‘The Gyspy King’ to come out of retirement to face AJ to enjoy the spotlight, and the huge purse that he received.
“I think he has no chance. I think he’s going to get smashed,” said promoter Eddie Hearn Fight Hub TV about Jake Paul having no chance against Anthony Joshua on December 19th. “We received a massive offer for a very easy fight.”
Punch Resistance: The Real Issue
Hearn looks at Joshua from the memories he had of him from the past, 10 years ago, when he knocked everyone out. He is not that same fighter anymore. The striking resistance disappeared due to the heavy knockouts he took against Andy Ruiz Jr. and Daniel Dubois suffered. Jake can capitalize on tracking down what’s left of Joshua.
“I love the opportunity for AJ on so many levels. I think it’s a straight fight. It’s a massive profile, especially in the US,” Hearn said.
AJ Chases Fury’s attention again
“So, we can go back in 2026 with all guns blazing with Turki Alalshikh and hopefully the plans to fight Tyson Fury. But in the meantime, we can fold our hands, go there, build the profile a bit, crush Jake Paul, make a fortune, and off we go,” says Hearn.
Getting the Fury fight is far more complicated than Hearn realizes. Not only does Joshua have to defeat Paul, but he may have to look vulnerable to a certain degree. If he looks too good, he can scare Fury off.
Joshua’s trick: look good – but not too good
- Looks beatable in win against Paul
- Turki Alalshikh offers Fury a fortune
- Joshua-Paul creates massive global interest
“It will be a fight in February, and then hopefully Tyson Fury. It’s not up to us. It’s Turki Alalshikh. We’re in, but Tyson has to be in as well,” Hearn said of his hope that Fury would fight Joshua in 2026.
“This Jake Paul fight will give us the momentum from a profile perspective to make that fight that big. There’s a method to the madness other than an easy fight for loads of money,” Hearn said of using the Paul fight to boost Joshua’s popularity heading into what he hopes will be a clash with Fury next year.
Last updated on 26/11/2025
