Anthony Joshua’s Promoter Reveals Why a Jake Paul Showdown Could Surpass a Tyson Fury Fight in Scale
Joshua is currently in talks for a staggering boxing clash with YouTuber-turned-fighter Paul. There is a gulf in class between the pair with the Briton a two-time former heavyweight world champion, while Paul has had just 13 professional fights against largely limited opposition.
Several options lay on the table for Joshua’s comeback fight, and he has also been heavily linked with a two-fight blockbuster deal with bitter rival Tyson Fury.
And despite the boxing purist wanting to see AJ finally settle his feud with the ‘Gypsy King’, Smith believes the commercial value lies in a duel with Paul.
“2026 is going to be a huge year for Anthony Joshua,” Smith said on talkSPORT’s Hawksbee & Jacobs.
“It is a random fight with Jake Paul, but it is the biggest fight out there at the moment.
“Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul on the global scale is bigger than Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury. That is the world we live in right now.
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“The Tyson Fury fight is still a huge fight, and if he decides to come back from retirement, I’m sure that can also get made in 2026.
“I think you will see him in a great year next year in the biggest events possible.
“From a commercial perspective he’s in the driving seat, AJ delivers the biggest numbers.”
How realistic is Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul?
Paul has already shown he is a commercial super power in boxing despite his limited experience.
But he would be an overwhelming underdog in a clash with Joshua, with many expecting a booming KO from the Briton.
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The ‘Problem Child’ has even received health warnings from Smith’s Matchroom Boxing colleague Eddie Hearn, who suggested Paul will be decapitated by Joshua.
Paul has only fought at heavyweight once, and that was against 58-year-old veteran Mike Tyson, whom he beat in a huge money-spinning event.
He added: “I think you have to respect what Jake Paul has done.
“He’s not at the level of Anthony Joshua, and he keeps calling people and one day these fights will happen.
“This is the reality, and I think this could be the end of Jake Paul’s influencer dreams of becoming a boxer.
