The long-rumored Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua fight might still be on the table based on how Paul’s upcoming bout with Gervonta Davis goes.
Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, told TMZ Sports that discussions with Paul’s camp are still taking place, but the result of the Davis match could change things.
The thing Hearn specifically noted is if Paul gets “chinned” by Davis, who traditionally competes at 135 pounds, that would make it extremely difficult to justify putting him in the ring with the former heavyweight champion.
Paul and Davis are scheduled for a 10-round exhibition bout on Nov. 14. The deal includes a maximum weight limit of 195 pounds, which is only five pounds lower than what Paul’s usual boxing weight.
Davis has spent his entire career fighting between 130 and 135 pounds. He has never lost in 31 career bouts, owning a record of 30-0-1.
Joshua hasn’t stepped into the ring since his shocking upset loss to Daniel DuBois in September 2024. DuBois knocked him out in the fifth round to win the IBF heavyweight title.
Hearn has said there’s a “chance” Joshua could fight before the end of this year because he is continuing to train, but it’s “unlikely.” He has also teased a potential showdown with Tyson Fury at some point in 2026, though Fury claims a third bout with Oleksander Usyk will happen early next year.
If the bout with Fury doesn’t come together and Paul beats Davis, or can at least hold his own, Joshua’s best path forward might be stepping into the ring with the YouTube star-turned-boxer.
Paul has a 12-1 record in 13 professional fights. His bout with Davis won’t count toward that record since it is classified as an exhibition match.
