In a surprising revelation for the boxing community, Saudi boxing promoter Turki Al-Sheikh announced that internet personality-turned-boxer Jake Paul has agreed to a potential bout against heavyweight powerhouse Anthony Joshua.
Speaking on The Boxing Voice podcast, Al-Sheikh detailed his surprising proposal: “I am thinking me and him to doing him against Joshua now. Joshua, if he destroy him, it will be good for me. The headache of Jake Paul will go from my mind.”
The Saudi chairman, who has been instrumental in organizing several high-profile boxing events recently, explained his win-win rationale behind the potential matchup. “If Jake Paul win, I will know that Joshua is finished. And Jake Paul deserve to be ranking and deserve to have future in boxing, right?”
Perhaps most surprisingly, Al-Sheikh claimed Paul has already accepted the challenge, stating, “I don’t want 50-50. In this situation, I want 99-1. Jake Paul accepted. Now, next week, I will talk with Joshua about it.”
The announcement comes at an interesting juncture in both boxers’ careers. Paul (12-1) is riding a six-bout winning streak after his recent victory over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., while Joshua (28-4) is looking to rebound after a knockout loss to Daniel Dubois.
Industry experts note the enormous physical disparity between the two fighters. Joshua, a former two-time unified heavyweight champion, would dwarf Paul, who typically competes at cruiserweight. The size difference alone makes this potential matchup one of the most intriguing—and potentially controversial—in recent boxing memory.
Paul responded to Al-Sheikh’s comments on social media, asserting his independence: “I will do what I want, with who I want, when I want, in the boxing ring. Anyone, anytime, anyplace.”
While Al-Sheikh seems confident about Paul’s participation, the bout remains hypothetical until Joshua agrees. If realized, this crossover event would undoubtedly generate massive global interest.
