In a recent episode of the UFC London Companion podcast, popular commentator Joe Rogan made headlines by suggesting that YouTube star Jake Paul is planning to use performance-enhancing substances to prepare for a potential boxing match with former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.
During the podcast, Rogan reacted to Paul’s ambitious challenge to face Joshua in 2026, saying, “He wants to fight Anthony Joshua in 2026 and the haters online like yeah do it, what about now? Yeah like what about fighting now, he’s like no I want to wait till 2026.”
Rogan then added his controversial take on why Paul might be delaying the matchup: “To put on weight put on all the ster*ids every ster*id they have.”
The comments come amid growing speculation about a potential bout between Paul and Joshua. The YouTube sensation recently called out the two-time world heavyweight champion on his show “BS with Jake Paul,” boldly claiming, “I know I will beat Anthony Joshua’s ass. He doesn’t have a chin and he has no skill and he’s stiff.”
Despite the harsh critique, Paul attempted to maintain some cordiality, adding, “I love you, Anthony, we’re friends and all this s*** but I want to fight you.” The challenge apparently prompted Joshua to call Paul directly, with both fighters sharing images of their conversation on social media with the caption “2026.”
This isn’t the first time Paul has faced accusations regarding PEDs. His brother Logan recently defended him on the imPaulsive podcast, saying, “No. No. I mean, he gets tested and it’s always negative,” and adding, “I feel like 10/11 matches in, you’d probably get caught at this point.”
Paul, fresh off his victory over 58-year-old Mike Tyson in November, appears to be setting his sights on increasingly high-profile opponents. According to his promoter Nakisa Bidarian, these challenges aren’t financially motivated: “It isn’t about the money. He’s made lots of money from the time he was 18 years old. It’s really about disruption.”
While the size difference between the two fighters would be significant—Paul reportedly walks around at 215 pounds—Bidarian has suggested his client would make accommodations “for the right environment, the right framework.”
Joshua, 35, has been inactive since his loss to Daniel Dubois last September and had previously been linked to a potential matchup with Tyson Fury before those plans dissolved following Fury’s retirement announcement.
Whether Rogan’s comments about Paul’s preparation methods will impact the potential 2026 showdown remains to be seen, but his remarks have certainly added another layer of controversy to what would already be one of boxing’s most unusual matchups.
