Anthony Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has confirmed that any potential fight with Jake Paul would be a proper heavyweight contest under Queensberry rules and not an exhibition. Hearn emphasized that nothing has been finalized, but the bout would feature 10-ounce gloves, agreed-upon rounds, and negotiable weight limits if necessary. “This isn’t an exhibition. We’re not interested in exhibitions. It would be a real fight. If Paul is willing, we are ready to make it happen,” Hearn said.
Hearn revealed that the original plan was for an eight-round undercard fight, but the financial stakes of facing Paul far exceed the initial arrangement. While approaches from Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) have been made, negotiations are still in the early stages. Despite the hype surrounding a potential Paul fight, Hearn stressed that Joshua’s main priority remains his world championship ambitions, particularly a showdown with fellow Brit Tyson Fury in 2026. “This would be a smaller, in-between fight mainly for financial gain, but the serious focus is still on championship fights,” he added.
On Paul and his team, Hearn suggested they might be overestimating their chances. He said they believe Joshua is past his prime and inactive, but Joshua remains in peak condition. “They think they can win, but Joshua is still in prime form. For me, there’s no chance—but I understand why they might think otherwise,” Hearn explained. Former heavyweight Tony Bellew also commented on the situation, expressing doubt the fight will happen, but noting that if it does, Joshua would dominate. “Paul was supposed to fight Gervonta Davis, and now he steps up against a much taller and stronger opponent. Against Joshua with ten-ounce gloves, the fight would last as long as Joshua wants,” Bellew said.
If the fight goes ahead, it would adhere to standard Queensberry rules. This includes three-minute rounds, official scoring, no headguards, and competition gloves. Weight limits could also be negotiated to accommodate Paul’s move up to heavyweight. Hearn concluded by reiterating that while rumors are circulating, nothing has been confirmed yet. Still, the combination of financial incentives and global attention has made the potential bout one of the most talked-about topics in boxing.
