'Very good chance': Boxing promoter admits 'wildly dangerous' Jake Paul fight could go ahead
Updated . First published at
High-profile boxing promoter Eddie Hearn believes there is a "very good chance" Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul will come to blows next year.
Two of the biggest names in the sport have been linked with a potential bout for quite some time, but Hearn has largely brushed it aside due to Joshua's standing as a genuine world title-level fighter coupled with Paul's controversial rise and financial demands.
But with the English superstar sliding down the heavyweight ranks after his knockout loss to Daniel Dubois last year, the rumours have heated up once again.
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Paul has shown great self-belief and has publicly called out Joshua in what would be the biggest test of his career and a massive payday for both men.
Speaking to TMZ this week, Hearn admitted that he was initially against the idea but his conversations with Paul's team at Most Valuable Promotions have swayed him - even if he thinks Joshua would "evaporate" the social media star from the sport.
Anthony Joshua Getty
"I just thought to myself this is Jake Paul creating headlines," Hearn told TMZ.
"He's not going to fight Anthony Joshua and then every conversation I have with Nakisa [Bidarian] and [MVP], I'm like oh my god, they actually think they can beat him.
"I think there's a very good chance you're going to see it next. Early next year. Don't expect me to tell you, in my opinion, it's competitive. I think it's wildly dangerous.
"I think Jake Paul is a madman but for some reason he believes he can beat Anthony Joshua. I said but please understand, this is very real.
"If you want Anthony Joshua to evaporate you from the boxing world, we will quite willingly do so. I get the feeling these guys are crazy enough to do it and if they are, you're going to see just an incredible spectacle where the sport has gone mad."
Paul (12-1) has had a mixed run since taking up boxing five years ago, defeating former UFC stars Nate Diaz, Anderson Silva and Tyrone Woodley - the latter on two occasions - but also dropping a fight against Tommy Fury, the younger brother of Tyson.
His biggest fight to date came against a 58-year-old Mike Tyson last year in one of the most watched sporting events in history, winning via unanimous decision.
A step up in competition to take on someone at the level of Joshua would be a massive risk for Paul, but it's something that Hearn believes he has earned.
Jake Paul AP
"Me and Jake have had our ups and downs and one of the things I keep saying now is he is a fighter - he's a professional fighter," Hearn said.
"Now you can have your opinion on how good he is. I'd probably put him in the top 50 maybe in the world at cruiserweight, which by the way is a remarkable achievement.
"This is a guy from YouTube or whatever you want to call it, who has now been fighting for a good few years, he's been doing proper training camps, proper sparring.
"Do I think he's a world class fighter? I don't. Do I think he's decent and improved? Yeah. Do I think he can beat Anthony Joshua? Not in a hundred chances.
"Do I think he'll get knocked spark out against Anthony Joshua? Every single time."
