Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua fight could happen much sooner than expected

Jake Paul's promoter believes a fight with Anthony Joshua could happen early next year.

The YouTuber-turned-pugilist has spent most of the year campaigning for a scrap with the former two-time heavyweight world champion. Following his expression of interest during his podcast earlier this year, Paul engaged in a brief telephone conversation with Joshua, with both men ultimately reaching a verbal agreement for a blockbuster encounter.

Earlier this month, Paul was present ringside for Oleksandr Usyk's victory over Daniel Dubois and confirmed that a future bout with Joshua will occur next year. He told DAZN: "Yeah 100 per cent it's going to happen. We're going to do the unthinkable and create one of the biggest fights in the history of boxing."

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Despite speculation surrounding the heavyweight clash taking place towards the end of 2026, Paul's promoter and business partner - Nakisa Bidarian - has disclosed that he is engaged in talks with Eddie Hearn and that the encounter could materialise much earlier than expected, reports All Out Fighting.

Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: "I think the fight can absolutely happen. I'm looking at it as Jake versus Joshua, which is quite biblical, and it's quite impactful in many ways. I think size wise, we can get comfortable with it, and I think experience wise, Jake is learning very fast and growing, and Joshua is a little long in the tooth. So it could be a very interesting matchup, and we're actively discussing it with Matchroom.

"I think we're looking at it happening at the start of 2026. It's public that AJ was taking a little time away, I think he had a little surgery. So once he's ready, and once Jake is ready, we're going to squarely focus on that. It's a fight that Jake wants to do, and that's a discussion we've had at length, and he feels very confident about where he is in his career and his chances of upsetting Anthony Joshua."

Meanwhile, a sports finance expert has predicted a potential clash between the duo could generate $40million (£30m). With millions across the globe expected to watch, it's hardly shocking that both fighters would be handsomely compensated for their efforts.

Nevertheless, it appears money isn't the primary motivation for Paul. The American is evidently desperate to secure the bout and is even prepared to accept a ONE PER CENT share of the prize money. This comes from Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh, who revealed during a recent stint on 'The Boxing Voice': "I'm not against what Jake Paul's doing in boxing, it's good for boxing to have a young generation.

"I'm against some kinds of fights he does. I'm now thinking him against Joshua. Joshua, if he destroys (Paul), it will be good for me. The headache of Jake Paul goes from my mind. If Jake Paul wins, I will know that Joshua is finished, and Jake Paul deserves his ranking and deserves to have a future in boxing. I don't want 50-50. In this situation, I want 99-1. Jake Paul has accepted. Now, next week I will talk with Joshua about it."