Anthony Joshua gives fans exactly what they want with response to Jake Paul fight

Anthony Joshua has informed promoter Eddie Hearn that he has 'no problem' with knocking out Jake Paul.

A bout between the duo has been simmering over recent months. Following Paul's callout of the Brit in March, a potential showdown swiftly gathered momentum. The 'Problem Child' returned to action in June against former world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Despite being unable to secure the knockout, the American sailed to a points triumph.

Straight after the contest, Paul was swift to reel off several names he fancied facing next, including Joshua. Last month, the 28-year-old disclosed to DAZN that a heavyweight encounter between them would occur next year.

Whilst numerous critics oppose the fight, Joshua has no issue stepping in there and derailing Paul's momentum, reports All Out Fighting. This comes from Hearn, who told Sky Sports: "For AJ, he says to me, 'you want me to go and knock Jake Paul out? No problem'. That's where we sit."

READ MORE: Jake Paul handed blow as Anthony Joshua's next opponent is 'leaked'

READ MORE: Moses Itauma reveals decision which led to falling back in love with boxing

Although Paul naturally competes at cruiserweight and has had just one heavyweight outing, Hearn still considers the American the "front-runner" to face Joshua next. The two-time world champion hasn't competed since his defeat to Daniel Dubois last September at Wembley Stadium. Joshua has been recuperating for much of this year following elbow surgery, but is anticipated to return to action before year's end.

"This bizarre world that we live in, I think Jake Paul is absolutely the front-runner to fight Anthony Joshua next," Hearn continued. "I'm here in New York for a meeting about that fight. There's open dialogue between myself and Nakisa [Bidarian, Paul's manager] and MVP [Most Valuable Promotions]. I can't sit here and tell you this is a 50/50 match-up. The whole thing is bizarre. I think it's extremely dangerous for Jake Paul. The boxing world are saying, 'please AJ, go in and evaporate this young man from the boxing world so we can all get on as normal'.

"You've got Jake Paul fans thinking, bizarrely, they can beat Anthony Joshua, and the most bizarre thing out of everything is that Jake Paul genuinely believes he will beat Anthony Joshua. I think it's the only reason we're going to see this fight because Jake Paul and his merry men are telling him that AJ's punch resistance is gone, 'this is a great time to fight him'.

"I'm telling you, be careful for what you wish for because this is the most dangerous thing. This is like tuning in to watch [magician] David Blaine. You know when he's in a box and you're wondering whether he's going to get out in time, I've told Nakisa, this ain't David Blaine. This is going in with one of the fiercest punchers of our generation and if you go in there thinking you're going to win, that's even more dangerous. I know commercially this fight breaks all kinds of records and I don't even know what's going on to know that we're sitting there negotiating this fight, but I truly believe you're going to see it at the beginning of 2026."

However, whilst Paul is eager to finally settle matters with Joshua, it appears the British heavyweight may have different plans after boxing promoter Yohan Zaoui was informed by Joshua that he would likely stage his return against heavyweight challenger Tony Yoka.

"With my wife and children, I'm on vacation at a hotel in Limassol, by the sea, in southern Cyprus," revealed Zaoui. "And who do I run into this morning at the pool? Joshua! He's also on vacation with his family, with his younger brother and his nieces and nephews. I chatted with him for a few minutes. He's humble and kind."

Discussing a potential clash between Joshua and Yoka, Zaoui shared: "He told me that his next opponent would certainly be French, Yoka. He told me that he had the option of facing the American YouTuber Jake Paul, but that 90 per cent of the time it would be Yoka. I asked him his prediction. He told me that there was no easy fight."

When will Anthony Joshua's next fight take place?

Currently, Joshua is on the mend from an elbow operation, with hopes to get back in the ring before the year's end. His promoter, Eddie Hearn, has recently disclosed that 'AJ' is now eager to move forward with his career after repeatedly chasing a match with Fury, though he still harbours hopes of eventually squaring off with the 'Gypsy King' before retiring.

In a chat with Sky Sports about Joshua's future, Hearn stated: "Yeah, good, he had that operation recently... that elbow surgery, which went very well. You will see him return in October, November or December."