Eddie Hearn, promoter for British heavyweight Anthony Joshua, stated that a fight between Joshua and Jake Paul would attract `many people` to watch.
Following his unanimous decision victory over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr last weekend, the YouTuber-turned-professional boxer proposed a bold matchup against two-time world champion Joshua.
Joshua is anticipated to return to the ring in November or December this year after undergoing elbow surgery. Hearn conceded that a potential fight against Paul in the future would generate significant public interest and financial benefits.
I think you have to give Jake credit; he`s a disruptor who wants to create crazy moments.
If he`s crazy enough to step into the ring with Anthony Joshua and potentially earn tens or hundreds of millions, he`ll do it.
As for AJ? He makes his own decisions, but I`d be telling him, `Yeah, go for it mate. Go and sort this guy out. Get him out of boxing.`
I believe a lot of people would tune in to watch. Do I think it`s a fight that should happen? Not really, no, but we live in a totally wild world, especially in boxing, where you just never know.
Paul himself stated:
Anthony Joshua would be a wild fight, but that`s the challenge I want.
We`ve been exchanging DMs. He wants to make it happen. He called me, and it`s looking very probable for next year.
Paul Can Challenge for World Title
Paul, currently campaigning at cruiserweight, would need to move up in weight to face Joshua.
However, he has now secured the No. 14 spot in the World Boxing Association`s cruiserweight rankings, which qualifies him to challenge WBA champion Gilberto `Zurdo` Ramirez.
After his win over Chavez, Paul commented:
I want tougher opponents. I want to become a world champion.
Zurdo looked slow tonight. That would be easy work as well.
Hearn maintained that Paul should be credited for delivering his best performance yet against Chavez, a former WBC middleweight champion.
He remarked:
I`ve surprised myself this week because I haven`t shown him the respect I believe he deserves. This guy has been fighting in major events globally for some time now.
He entered the sport as a total beginner. I think he`s made significant progress as a boxer. I think he takes it seriously. I no longer see him just as a YouTuber; I think he`s a professional boxer.
Is he a top 15 fighter globally? Don`t be absurd. But is he in the top 100? Perhaps, and by the way, I know that might not sound like praise, but it`s actually a significant compliment.
I believe his boxing IQ is improving. I think he hits hard. I think he can absorb a punch. He beat Chavez, who may be past his prime, but was a former world champion who did prepare for that fight.
Murray Blackwood