Paul made the announcement at a press conference following his unanimous points win over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr this past weekend. The 10-round victory marked Paul's 12th win in 13 professional fights.
"Yeah, I mean, Anthony Joshua… I'm not a heavyweight but I'm still going to take the challenge. You look at Deontay Wilder, he was beating these guys weighing 215lbs, so anything is possible. I like a challenge. We've been messaging back and forth, he wants to make it happen, he called me up and it's looking very likely for next year."
Paul's team later clarified the timeline, pushing the potential fight to late 2026. They believe this will give Paul enough time to prepare for the considerable size and experience advantage Joshua holds.
The 26-year-old Paul has built his boxing career mostly against aging fighters and former MMA stars. He suffered his only loss to Tommy Fury in 2023 but has since bounced back with three knockout wins and three points victories. His most recent fights include a win over 58-year-old Mike Tyson last November and the victory against Chavez Jr.
Joshua, on the other hand, last fought in September, stopping Daniel Dubois inside five rounds. The British heavyweight stands as a much more formidable opponent than anyone Paul has faced so far.
Paul's team plans to meet with Matchroom Boxing to discuss the potential Joshua fight. If that doesn't materialize, they'll consider a rematch with Tommy Fury.
The full press conference where Paul made his Joshua announcement can be viewed online. For those interested in Paul's most recent fight, details of his victory over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr are available on the BBC Sport website.