British boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed that discussions are underway for a potential heavyweight showdown between former two-time world champion Anthony Joshua and YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul and he insists the proposed bout would be a “real fight”, not an exhibition.
Hearn clarified that both camps have held conversations following the cancellation of Paul’s scheduled exhibition against lightweight champion Gervonta Davis.
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With Paul unexpectedly available, a December fight in Miami — reportedly to be streamed on Netflix — has emerged as a commercially attractive option for Joshua, who has not boxed since his knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois in September 2024.
Although reports have circulated claiming the matchup is already finalised, Hearn urged caution, noting that “everyone has jumped the gun” and that talks are ongoing.
However, he was unequivocal on one point:
“No, not an exhibition. We’re not interested in exhibitions. It’s a real fight.”
The potential bout offers Joshua a high-profile return to the ring while he continues targeting a major 2026 clash with Tyson Fury.
For Paul, it represents a dramatic leap from his recent exhibition outings — including his bout earlier this year against 58-year-old Mike Tyson — into a fully sanctioned contest against an elite heavyweight.
Meanwhile, separate reports claim the fight is already a “done deal.”
According to Ring Magazine’s Mike Coppinger, Joshua and Paul have agreed terms for a December 19 professional fight in Miami.
The matchup would mark Paul’s first sanctioned heavyweight contest and Joshua’s first fight in more than a year.
As anticipation builds, the proposed showdown continues to generate debate across the boxing world, with many questioning the competitive balance of the bout — but few doubting its commercial appeal.
