Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua might step into the ring together in 2026. The former world heavyweight champion and the popular YouTuber-turned-boxer are in talks for a high-profile matchup.
Eddie Hearn, Joshua's promoter, says they've made good progress on the money side of things. He didn't think the fight would happen at first, but now he's starting to believe it could.
"I would say we are very advanced in terms of money," Hearn said. "I never expected this fight to take place, but honestly, the more conversations I have, the more I think there's a good chance it will happen."
Top boxing promoter Turki Alalkashik is ready to back the fight. Nakisa Bidarian, who represents Jake Paul, is also involved in the negotiations.
But there are some hurdles to clear. The British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) might not approve the fight, especially if it's in England. They'd need a special exemption to make it happen in the UK.
Wembley Stadium has come up as a possible venue, but the BBBofC issue makes that tricky. The fight will probably end up in the United States. That's where Jake Paul is a big draw, and it would avoid the BBBofC problem.
Paul has filled up places like the Honda Center in Anaheim and the Amalie Arena in Tampa. His last fight against Mike Tyson brought in more than 72,000 fans at AT&T; Stadium.
A US venue could mean more money for both fighters. Las Vegas, for example, could offer bigger purses and more cash flow. It could also cover the costs of getting Joshua and his team over to the States.
The fight is still a long way off, and a lot could change. But for now, it looks like Joshua vs Paul could be more than just talk.
