Eddie Hearn, the longtime promoter of former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, has stated that a fight with blogger and professional boxer Jake Paul — rumored for several months — could take place in the near future. According to Hearn, talks with Paul and his business partner Nakisa Bidarian show that their team is serious about making the bout happen, reports Baltimore Chronicle citing TMZ.
Paul, who has mostly defeated former UFC fighters and a few little-known boxers, and more recently beat 58-year-old Mike Tyson and former middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., sees Joshua as the most dangerous opponent of his career. Hearn admitted that he initially saw Paul’s statements as an attention-grabbing tactic but, after several conversations with his team, realized they are confident they can win.
Hearn says the likelihood of the fight happening is very high, and it could be staged early next year. The promoter doesn’t consider the matchup competitive, calling it “extremely dangerous” for Paul, but acknowledges that the American believes he can beat the Brit. Hearn compared the public’s interest in the fight to the dangerous stunts of illusionist David Blaine, stressing that this is a real boxing contest.
Despite past legal disputes with Paul over alleged fight-fixing, Hearn noted the American’s progress, who began his boxing career on YouTube. He described Paul as a professional athlete who has undergone full training camps and sparring, and believes he could rank among the world’s top 50 cruiserweights. At the same time, Hearn is certain Paul has no chance of beating Joshua and would be knocked out every time.
While no contract signing date has been set, Hearn is convinced both sides may agree to the fight. He added that if it happens, it will be “an incredible spectacle” that reflects how far modern boxing can go in chasing public attention.
Earlier we wrote Daniel Lapin to face Troy Jones in Manchester This november.