A potential showdown between Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul is already generating massive buzz – with some insiders claiming it could be five times bigger than a fight between Joshua and Tyson Fury.
The surprising news came after Jake Paul called out Joshua, sparking behind-the-scenes talks for a 2026 clash. According to Nakisa Bidarian, Paul’s promotional and business partner, this could be Joshua’s biggest bout on a global scale.
“Jake versus Joshua is three, four, or five times bigger than Joshua versus Fury. Not in the UK – they’re similar there – but globally, it’s not even close,” Bidarian told SunSport. “In terms of magnitude, reach, interest, and viewership, Jake vs Joshua would blow it away.”
While the UK remains a stronghold for traditional boxing rivalries like Joshua vs Fury, Bidarian insists Jake Paul’s influence across global and digital platforms makes him a different kind of attraction.
Despite having not fought since a 2023 loss to Daniel Dubois, and Jake Paul recently teasing retirement at a Bare Knuckle FC event, both men seem interested in making the 2026 bout a reality. A phone call between them even surfaced on social media, hinting at real negotiations.
Paul’s camp is dismissing claims from Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn that a 2026 timeline is “just clickbait.” Bidarian explained, “Jake knows he needs more in-ring experience before facing someone like Joshua. We’re not rushing into it.”
Paul, who recently defeated 58-year-old Mike Tyson in a controversial exhibition match watched by over 100 million on Netflix, is planning at least two more fights in 2025. A clash with Canelo Alvarez was rumored but didn’t materialize as Canelo signed a four-fight deal in Saudi Arabia.
For now, Jake Paul has his sights set on two names: Anthony Joshua and Canelo Alvarez. “Jake doesn’t say things unless he believes them,” Bidarian said. “He’s realistic – he doesn’t think he can beat David Benavidez, but he truly believes in his chances against Canelo and Joshua.”
There’s no animosity yet between Paul and Joshua, but if the fight gets confirmed, tensions could heat up fast.
And if Bidarian’s prediction holds true, it could be one of the biggest boxing spectacles the world has ever seen.
