Joshua Could Be on the Verge of a Monumental 2026 With a Thrilling Jake Paul and Tyson Fury Double-Header in the Works.

AJ has been out of the ring since last September when he was knocked out by Daniel Dubois at Wembley.

Elbow surgery in May has delayed his return – allowing for shock talks with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul.

Fury retired in January but announced in July that he will come back to fight next year – with the hopes of a fight with Joshua.

Frank Smith, CEO of Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing, talked up a mega 2026 for AJ with bouts against Paul AND Fury possible.

Smith said on talkSPORT: “2026 is going to be a huge year for Anthony Joshua.

“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.

“AJ has done everything in the sport, he still has a lot more to offer but in this business people get written off.

“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.”

Fury, 36, retired after consecutive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, 38, last year but told fans at a BoxPark event in July that he will return in 2026.

Paul is 12-1 in his career with his lone loss coming against Fury’s brother Tommy in 2023.

Paul won on points over eight shorter two-minute rounds and returned to cruiserweight in June to face Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

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And he beat the former middleweight world champion over ten rounds – placing him 14th in the WBA’s rankings.

Paul, 28, first called out Joshua, 35, on his podcast earlier in the year sparking a behind-the-scenes back and forth between the two.

And Smith 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.

Eddie Hearn Issues Stark Warning to Jake Paul, “I Hope Joshua Destroys Him With a Vicious Beating”

The British promoter warns of possible “brutal punishment” if the fight between the influencer and the former world heavyweight champion goes ahead

Rumors of a possible showdown between Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua have begun to gain momentum in recent days, as the idea of seeing the influencer-turned-boxer take on the former unified heavyweight champion has generated mixed opinions in the boxing world. One of the most critical voices has been that of Eddie Hearn, who is Joshua’s promoter.

Hearn not only questioned the viability of the fight, but was clear in his statements about what he believes would happen if Jake Paul dares to step into the ring with Joshua:

I hope AJ goes in there and destroys him. This would be a brutal beatdown, an easy night at the office

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This fight seemed unlikely until a few years ago, however, rumors of a possible clash between the two have increased, to the point that today it seems imminent.

Although the difference in experience and class between the two boxers is noticeable, representatives from both sides have admitted that talks are underway

In fact, Eddie Hearn revealed that he had a recent conversation with Nakisa Bidarian, a close associate of Jake Paul and co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions, assuring that “this is very real” and that the chances of the fight happening are “50/50”.

Bidarian not only confirmed the interest, but also described the possible fight as an event of “biblical” proportions, even pointing to a possible date in 2026.

Criticism of Jake Paul continues

However, not everyone is convinced that this clash should take place, as journalist Gareth A. Davies described Jake Paul as “a regional level boxer” and was concerned about the physical risk of facing a heavyweight like Joshua:

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It doesn’t seem safe. I don’t think it should be sanctioned by any commission

However, the chairman of Riyadh Season, Turki Alalshikh, also spoke about the possible fight, and although initially sceptical, Alalshikh now sees the duel as a possible solution to the “Jake Paul problem”

If Joshua destroys him, the headache is over. If Jake Paul wins, we will know that he deserves to be in boxing

There are still many things up in the air about this hypothetical fight, but what is a fact is that, if it materializes, it would be a fight with a large audience.

Anthony Joshua Taunts Parker’s Mum: “No Point Worrying, the Ending’s Already Written”

In the lead-up to one of the most anticipated heavyweight showdowns of the year, Anthony Joshua has stirred controversy with a cutting remark aimed not at his opponent Joseph Parker—but at Parker’s mother, Sala. During a press interaction ahead of the fight, Joshua, usually known for his calm and respectful demeanor, shocked reporters with a bold statement: “No point worrying, the ending’s already written.”

The remark, directed at Sala Parker, has since gone viral, lighting up social media and reigniting debates about the psychological warfare that often surrounds boxing’s biggest bouts. For some, it was a cold, calculated mind game. For others, it was a step too far.

The Context Behind the Comment

Sala Parker, known to be a strong supporter of her son’s career, recently expressed her anxiety over Joseph stepping back into the ring with a fighter as explosive and powerful as Joshua. In an interview with a New Zealand outlet, she shared her natural concern for her son’s safety and well-being, saying, “Every time he fights, I get nervous. He’s strong, he’s trained, but this is Anthony Joshua we’re talking about.”

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Joshua, apparently aware of Sala’s comments, responded with a touch of bravado that some believe was designed to rattle the Parker camp ahead of fight night. “Tell her not to worry,” Joshua said with a smirk. “There’s no point. The ending’s already written.”

A Different Side of Anthony Joshua?

The former unified heavyweight champion has long been viewed as one of boxing’s most composed figures. Humble in defeat and gracious in victory, Joshua’s public image has rarely included trash talk, especially when it comes to opponents’ families. But as the stakes continue to rise, perhaps so does his willingness to play the psychological game.

“Boxing isn’t just about fists,” said one insider from Joshua’s camp. “It’s about the mind. If he can get inside Parker’s head—or even the people around him—it’s a win before the first bell.”

Joseph Parker’s Response

Parker, never one to back down from a verbal jab, responded with class but didn’t hide his irritation. “My mum has nothing to do with this fight. I’ll be the one in the ring with him. If he thinks a few words will shake us, he’s in for a surprise.”

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The Kiwi heavyweight went on to say that Joshua may be overcompensating. “It sounds like someone who’s unsure. If you’ve really written the ending, you don’t need to say it—you show it.”

Fan Reactions Split

The remark has divided fans across social media. Some believe Joshua is simply firing back with the confidence of a fighter who knows what he brings to the table. Others believe he crossed a line by dragging a fighter’s mother into the narrative.

One Twitter user wrote: “AJ is finally showing some edge. I love it. This is the kind of fire we’ve been waiting for.”

Another posted: “Disrespecting a fighter’s mum? That’s low, even for pre-fight hype.”

Mind Games or Misstep?

Boxing history is full of psychological warfare—Muhammad Ali famously taunted Joe Frazier for years, while Tyson Fury has never shied away from getting under his opponents’ skin. Some analysts see Joshua’s comment as a move in that same playbook.

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“Anthony’s trying to remind Parker—and everyone else—that he’s still the alpha in this division,” said veteran commentator Carl Franklin. “And he’s doing it in a way that grabs headlines and makes Parker feel the pressure.”

With tensions escalating and tempers flaring, the verbal war between Joshua and Parker has added a fiery new layer to their upcoming bout. Whether Joshua’s comment was strategic or spontaneous, one thing is certain: it has only added more intrigue to an already electric matchup.

As for Sala Parker, her voice remains calm amid the noise. In a brief response to the media, she simply said, “My son doesn’t need me to defend him. He’ll do that himself—in the ring.”

And that’s exactly where this battle will be decided. Words may sting, but fists will ultimately write the final chapter. Whether Joshua’s prediction proves prophetic or premature, the world will be watching. And so, it seems, will Sala Parker.