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“Grave Concerns” Raised Over Jake Paul’s Safety in Potential Showdown With Anthony Joshua, Say WBN

Former WBO cruiserweight champion Lawrence Okolie has poured cold water on the idea of Jake Paul fighting Anthony Joshua, branding the potential bout both unrealistic and dangerous.

Heavyweight contender Okolie, a two-weight world titleholder after claiming the WBC bridgerweight crown, warned that Joshua’s size and power make such a clash a serious health concern if it were to materialize. – If you use these WBN quotes, please link back to the source: https://www.worldboxingnews.com/boxing-news/jake-paul-anthony-joshua-risk/

Concerns for Paul’s Safety Against Joshua
“I can’t see it happening,” Okolie told talkSPORT. “As someone who has been a unified heavyweight world champion, going against Jake Paul doesn’t sit right.

“I’m also talking from a health and safety factor.” – If you use these WBN quotes, please link back to the source: https://www.worldboxingnews.com/boxing-news/jake-paul-anthony-joshua-risk/

While Paul has teased fights across divisions, including his recent campaign toward a cruiserweight world title, Okolie pointed out the vast physical and technical disparity between the YouTuber-turned-contender and an elite, past-prime heavyweight like Joshua.

READ MORE : Anthony Joshua Unveils Bold Masterplan With Eddie Hearn to

Anthony joshua

“He [Jake Paul] is maybe a cruiserweight, and Anthony Joshua is a very big, strong heavyweight,” Okolie explained. “And if he turns it on, it’s not just a risk of a knockout, it is a much bigger risk.” – If you use these WBN quotes, please link back to the source: https://www.worldboxingnews.com/boxing-news/jake-paul-anthony-joshua-risk/

Despite dismissing the fight as implausible, Okolie admitted the idea has sparked curiosity, if not concern.

“I can’t see it personally, but it is a good talking point, I guess.” – If you use these WBN quotes, please link back to the source: https://www.worldboxingnews.com/boxing-news/jake-paul-anthony-joshua-risk/

Fantasy vs. Sanctioned Combat: The Unlikely Bout
Paul has recently been ranked in the top 15 by the WBA at the cruiserweight division and is pursuing a world title shot in 2025. – If you use these WBN quotes, please link back to the source: https://www.worldboxingnews.com/boxing-news/jake-paul-anthony-joshua-risk/

RELATED : Unexpected Anthony Joshua And Eddie Hearn Urged to Take

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Meanwhile, Joshua should return this winter after undergoing elbow surgery. Doubts over how many fights the Briton has left in his locker mean the Paul bout is highly unlikely to happen until Joshua retires from professional boxing.

But as far as Okolie is concerned, any Joshua vs Paul fantasy fight belongs in the realm of social media speculation, and not as sanctioned combat.

Anthony Joshua Unveils Bold Masterplan With Eddie Hearn to Propel England to World Cup Glory

Anthony Joshua is no stranger to Wembley Stadium, but he could soon be heading back there to watch one of his clients.

The two-time heavyweight world champion has sold out England’s home of football on four occasions, and has now talked up getting involved in the beautiful game on a full-time basis.

Now aged 35 and heading towards the end of his career, ‘AJ’ posted a surprise Instagram story referencing his famous promoter Eddie Hearn.

“The family has conquered darts, snooker, pool, boxing, fishing, golf, owning a football club and you’ve had a presence in basketball, netball and gymnastics,” he wrote to his 16.5million followers.

“I believe ‘we’ could look at the football agency industry and have a strong presence.

“Imagine we help manage the player who helped England win the World Cup. Call me tomorrow mate.”

Hearn reposted the message with emojis of a football and handshake, which comes as no surprise given his previous comments.

READ MORE : Boxing Star Gervonta Davis and Vanessa Posso Locked in

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Speaking with GQ back in 2020 Hearn was left shocked when asked about becoming a football agent.

“Do you know what? I’ll just say it. Me and AJ are talking about doing it.

“We’ve looked at it for a while and he mentioned it to me the other day and he said: ‘You know how to represent athletes, you can use my brand and my name, I know a lot of the players, we go out’.

“‘You know how to build a career on the pitch and off the pitch commercially, so what do you think?’

Why Hearn moving into football makes sense

Hearn is one of boxing’s most famous faces despite never putting on the gloves, helping take the sport to a whole new level after inheriting his father Barry’s empire.

Assisting him on the way has been Joshua’s undoubted star power, while recent agreements with the sporting wing of Saudi Arabia’s government has seen cash flow into the sport like never before.

Hearn also has football experience too, from when his father was the chairman of Leyton Orient from 1995 to 2014.

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Terence Crawford

Speaking to The Overlap last year he revealed: “After every big fight, especially with a YouTuber, sometimes [Wayne] Rooney will fire me a message.

“I actually said to Wayne – who had a very limited amateur [boxing] pedigree but still could fight – ‘imagine the shape you’d get in, you’d get right back in shape’.

A Great Possibility Emerges As Anthony Joshua Eyeing Surprise Opponent for Comeback Clash

Anthony Joshua’s comeback opponent could be a fellow Olympic gold medallist as a ‘warm-up’ ahead of a mega fight with Tyson Fury next year.

Speaking on talkSPORT, former European super bantamweight champion, Spencer Oliver, revealed that Tony Yoka is a ‘great possibility’ as Joshua’s next fight.

Oliver said: “Do I think they are going to fight? I think that is a great possibility. We get two Olympic gold medallists going at it. Tony Yoka is trying to rekindle his career after losing to the likes of Carlos Takam. Doesn’t it make sense? Two Olympic gold medallists, there is history there.

“It will be a great fight, it is a sellable fight, I would love to see it.”

Yoka was a standout in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, winning a gold medal for France, but is currently rebuilding from three consecutive losses as a professional to Martin Bakole, Carlos Takam and Ryad Merhy.

READ MORE : Unexpected Anthony Joshua And Eddie Hearn Urged to Take

He has since registered three wins, and despite a less-than-favourable run of form, Yoka has great pedigree, having beaten big-name heavyweight contenders Filip Hrgovic, Joe Joyce and Joseph Parker as an amateur, making him a tricky proposition for the former unified heavyweight champion.

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Since his knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in September last year, Joshua has undergone minor surgery to his elbow and is looking to come back at the end of the year, according to his promoter, Eddie Hearn.

Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh has also weighed in on Joshua’s future and said that before he and Fury potentially face off next year they both need a tune-up fight, having both lost in their last outing.

He told The Boxing Voice: “Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury next year, we are trying to do it and we are thinking about it. I need to have for each one, a tune-up fight first.

“Why? Because they are both coming off losses. It’s to build it up.”

Tyson Fury Breaks Silence with Explosive Message on Potential Wembley Showdown with Anthony Joshua

Tyson Fury has given his thoughts on a potential all-British fight against Anthony Joshua during an interview ahead of Daniel Dubois and Oleksandr Usyk’s undisputed clash.

Fury, 36, has not fought since sustaining a second consecutive defeat to Usyk, 38, in Saudi Arabia in December 2024.

Then, in January 2025, the self-proclaimed ‘Gypsy King’ announced his retirement from the sport in a video posted to his social media channels.

In the clip, he said: “Hi everybody, I’m going to make this short and sweet, I’d like to announce my retirement from boxing. It’s been a blast. I’ve loved every single minute of it.”

However, he could be set to make a U-turn. Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh posted an ominous message on X earlier this month, which nodded towards a potential return for Fury.

He wrote: “The ‘Gypsy King’ will be back!!! I talked with him, and I have his word to have him in Riyadh Season in 2026 … We have a rabbit to hunt!”

READ MORE : Anthony Joshua Sparks Career Shockwave with Cryptic Message

Tyson fury

It is still unclear if, when or who Fury will face if he does indeed return to action, but the obvious contenders are Usyk, Dubois and long-time foe Joshua.

Usyk and Dubois’ next steps will be heavily influenced by tonight’s result, but Joshua has already made his feelings clear on potentially facing Fury.

In January, Joshua said: “It’s a fight I want to see because I am a fan of boxing. When I am in the gym, everyone is asking me [about this fight]. I ain’t got many years ahead of me. I want to leave the game with a bang and make an impact.

“Everyone is asking me the same question. It’s up to me to deliver; that’s why I’m saying it has to happen this year.

“I think we can make this fight happen.”

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Tyson fury

Joshua is currently recovering from surgery on his elbow. As for Fury, he has returned to the media spotlight this week and spoke to Ring Magazine on Saturday.

Fury said: “He’s coming off a spectacular knockout to a local kid and I’m coming off a debatable decision to the undisputed champion.

“It’s good to give the fans what they want, but is it really worth my health?

“I go to these events and see some of these old-time champions, and some of them get lost in the bathroom, and I don’t want to be like that.”

Anthony Joshua Sparks Career Shockwave with Cryptic Message to Eddie Hearn Hinting at Major Move

Anthony Joshua has teased a stunning venture with his boxing promoter Eddie Hearn, proposing a major career change.

Joshua has enjoyed a legendary boxing career, having won an Olympic gold medal as an amateur before claiming world titles as a professional.

During the course of his glittering pro career, ‘AJ’ has picked up the IBF, WBA (super) and WBO world heavyweight belts.

But the 35-year-old’s pro career is coming to an end, with Hearn previously suggesting his star client has ‘two or three fights’ left before he hangs up the gloves for good.

READ MORE : Unexpected Anthony Joshua And Eddie Hearn Urged to Take

And it appears he has his eyes on a new job once he calls time on his boxing career.

Joshua has hinted at getting into football, specifically the agency industry.

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What’s more, he wants to team up with Hearn, who runs the boxing operations at Matchroom, which also oversees events in darts and snooker.

On Instagram, Joshua tagged the boxing promoter and posted: “The family has conquered darts, snooker, pool, boxing, fishing, golf, owning a football club & you’ve had a presence in basketball, netball & gymnastics.

RELATED : Frank Warren Signs Potential Anthony Joshua Comeback Rival as

“I believe ‘we’ could look at the football agency industry and have a strong presence.

“Imagine we help manage the player who helped England win the World Cup. Call me tomorrow mate.”

In 2020, Hearn revealed him and Joshua were talking about a move into football.

“Do you know what? I’ll just say it. Me and AJ are talking about doing it,” said the 46-year-old of moving into football.

“We’ve looked at it for a while and he mentioned it to me the other day and he said, ‘You know how to represent athletes, you can use my brand and my name, I know a lot of the players, we go out. You know how to build a career on the pitch and off the pitch commercially, so what do you think?’

“It may not happen, but we’re looking at it. Could be fun.”

Unexpected Anthony Joshua And Eddie Hearn Urged to Take on Stunning New Venture Outside Boxing

THROUGHOUT his professional boxing career, Anthony Joshua has been promoted by Eddie Hearn and the pair have built both a formidable business relationship and friendship. Now, ‘AJ’ has shared an idea for Hearn and himself to tackle a new business venture, as his retirement from boxing nears.

Just last week, Anthony Joshua, 28-4 (25 KOs), took to social media to pay credit to both Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing after 12 years working with the promotional outfit, dating back to his 2013 pro debut.

Joshua stated that ’12 years ago, he signed with Matchroom Boxing and 12 years later he will throw his last punch with them’, insinuating that his next fight could be his last.

Now, again on his Instagram, Joshua has continued to look towards life after boxing, this time suggesting that the dynamic duo could enter the competitive football agency industry.

Anthony joshua

READ MORE : Terence Crawford’s Move to Super-Middleweight Could Open

“@EddieHearn, the family has conquered darts, snooker, pool, boxing, fishing, golf, owning a football club & you’ve had a presence in basketball, netball & gymnastics.

“I believe ‘we’ could look at the football agency industry and have a strong presence.

“Imagine we help manage the player who helped @England win the World Cup.

Terence Crawford

“Call me tomorrow mate.”

The Hearn family has not been involved in the world of football since Barry Hearn stepped down as Leyton Orient F.C. chairman in 2014, ending a 19-year stint overseeing ‘The O’s’.

For now, Joshua must concentrate on the fight game, where Jared Anderson, Tony Yoka and Jake Paul are the latest names to be linked for what could prove to be the two-time heavyweight world champion’s final outing

Anthony Joshua: Tony Yoka Emerges from the Shadows as a Threat to Joshua’s Return

As Anthony Joshua plots his next move in a heavyweight division teeming with giants and dream matchups, a new — yet familiar — name is beginning to stir the waters. Tony Yoka, the towering Frenchman and Olympic gold medalist, has quietly re-entered the conversation, emerging from the shadows as a legitimate threat to Joshua’s comeback narrative.

Yoka, once hailed as the future of European heavyweight boxing, has experienced a career of highs and turbulence. After winning gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics — where he triumphed over none other than Joe Joyce — the French fighter entered the professional ranks with immense hype and a lucrative promotional push. But inconsistent performances, injury setbacks, and inactivity saw his momentum stall, and his name slowly faded from the front lines of the heavyweight scene.

Until now.

The Resurgence

Anthony joshua

In recent months, Tony Yoka has shown signs of a quiet but calculated comeback. His camp has been signaling a renewed focus, with training footage revealing a leaner, sharper version of the 6’7″ fighter. Sources close to his team suggest Yoka is eager to silence critics and willing to take on major names to accelerate his climb.

READ MORE : Terence Crawford’s Move to Super-Middleweight Could Open

And who better to target than Anthony Joshua — the man whose Olympic gold Yoka also claims, the global star plotting a comeback, and a fighter still searching for a defining second act in his career?

The Olympic Ties That Bind

The narrative potential of a Joshua vs. Yoka showdown is undeniable. Both men are Olympic champions from the same class of 2016. Both were once pegged as heirs to the heavyweight throne. But while Joshua surged into superstardom with world titles and sold-out stadiums, Yoka’s journey took a quieter, more complicated turn.

Terence Crawford

A fight between the two would not just be a high-stakes heavyweight clash — it would be a battle for redemption, legacy, and unfinished Olympic business.

Styles Make Fights

Yoka’s style presents an intriguing challenge for Joshua. Tall, rangy, and technically sound, the Frenchman has the tools to frustrate AJ. His jab is crisp, his footwork underrated, and when confident, he possesses a slickness rare among fighters his size. For Joshua, who has struggled at times with mobile, tactical opponents, Yoka could represent a genuine test — particularly if AJ is not fully dialed in.

RELATED NEWS : “I’m Coming for Them!” – Tyson Fury Vows Destruction of

On the flip side, Yoka has shown vulnerability when pressured, and Joshua’s power and explosiveness could quickly turn the tide. Both men have much to prove, and that makes the potential clash even more combustible.

Frank Warren’s Surprise Move

Fueling speculation further, British promoter Frank Warren recently signed a new heavyweight talent many believe could be Yoka — or someone closely aligned with him — opening the door to a UK-based showdown. While details remain under wraps, insiders suggest talks have quietly begun behind the scenes for a late 2025 matchup.

Tyson fury

If so, the storyline writes itself: Anthony Joshua, once the king of British boxing, facing the reawakened threat of a forgotten Olympic rival.

The Stakes Couldn’t Be Higher

For Yoka, a win over Joshua would catapult him into global relevance and revive a career that many had written off. For Joshua, it would be a dangerous but potentially cathartic test — the kind of fight that could reignite his path to the top or derail it entirely.

One man rises from the shadows. The other walks the tightrope of redemption. Their paths are different, but now they may finally cross — and when they do, the heavyweight landscape may never look the same.

Let the tension build.

Frank Warren Signs Potential Anthony Joshua Comeback Rival as Super-Fight Buzz Builds

Tony Yoka has signed with Frank Warren – opening the door to a showdown with Anthony Joshua.

As first discussed by talkSPORT, rumours are gathering pace that 2016 Olympic gold medallist Yoka is in contention for British heavyweight star Joshua’s comeback fight.

Joshua hasn’t fought since losing to Daniel Dubois last September, but is planning to return before the end of the year after recovering from elbow surgery.

Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh suggested he would like to see Joshua in a tune-up fight before any big clash with the likes of Tyson Fury.

READ MORE : Anthony Joshua Eyeing Comeback Against Olympic Gold Medalist

Anthony joshua

And Yoka could be perfect for that, particularly now he has signed with British promoter Warren.

The deal was announced and Yoka is now in a talented pool of heavyweights already held by the stable.

It includes the likes of Tyson Fury, Moses Itauma, Fabio Wardley, Daniel Dubois and long-term rival Joe Joyce.

But of course he will now be under the same roof as Joshua, given Queensberry now work in close partnership with Matchroom Boxing under the DAZN banner.

Any deal will likely be far easier to make given the pair’s working relationship.

“It’s A Rumour” A Leading Boxing Trainer Has Downplayed The Swirling Speculation Surrounding a Potential Clash Between Anthony Joshua And Jake Paul

Anthony Joshua’s trainer Ben Davison is not excited about a potential fight between his charge and Jake Paul, warning there is a serious risk attached to such a bout and questioning the safety aspects of the proposed matchup.

Davison knocked those calling for the fight, insisting that safety must come first and expressing concern that the possibility of something going wrong should be enough to stop the fight from happening.

Speaking to Boxing Scene, Davison said, “I don’t like all that (a fight with Paul). First and foremost, how can people even talk about that? Two, where’s the safety aspect in boxing? Do you know what I mean? There is a serious risk with something going wrong.

“Unfortunately, it might take something like that for people to be like, ‘Hold on, we’ve got to reconfigure this’. But somebody would pass it, someone would allow it, somebody would sanction it.”

READ MORE : Anthony Joshua Eyeing Comeback Against Olympic Gold Medalist

The YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul is coming off an impressive points decision victory over former WBC middleweight champion Julio Chavez Jr at the end of June, which saw him subsequently ranked at number 14 in the WBA cruiserweight rankings.

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However, Paul appears to have temporarily abandoned his pursuit of a cruiserweight world title in favour of calling out Joshua, with the two having shared exchanges both publicly and privately.

Joshua suffered a devastating knockout loss to Daniel Dubois at Wembley in September last year and has since undergone surgery on his elbow. The former two-time heavyweight champion has been linked with several names for his comeback fight, including Martin Bakole and Olympic gold medallist Tony Yoka.

Promoter Eddie Hearn has hinted that Joshua’s return could take place before the end of the year, whilst a fight between Joshua and Tyson Fury is being targeted for 2026.

RELATED : Heavyweight star blasts Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua matchup as

Davison agrees that Joshua may need time to ease back into competition following his extended absence from the sport due to injuries and operations, but has not ruled out jumping straight into a major fight.

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“I think you have to see how he feels. It’s been a long time – he’s had operations, injuries,” Davison explained.

“It might be a case of he might need a tune-up. Again, in the heavyweights, the landscape can change so quickly, and if an opportunity pops up and you’re ready, you never know.”

“I’m Coming for Them!” – Tyson Fury Vows Destruction of Joshua and Usyk in Shocking Return

Tyson Fury has set his sights on revenge against Oleksandr Usyk or an all-British showdown with Anthony Joshua after confirming he will make his return to boxing in 2026.

It comes as Turki Alalshikh, the chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, took to social media on Wednesday to reveal Fury had informed him he will make his comeback next year after stepping away from the sport.

Fury announced he had retired from boxing in January earlier this year, one month on from his unanimous decision defeat to Usyk in the pair’s heavyweight rematch.

The 36-year-old has since teased a return by posting footage of him back in the gym alongside trainer SugarHill Steward.

“Who would I rather fight right now? Usyk. I want my revenge in England, that’s all I want,” Fury told Boxing News while in attendance at the IBA Pro Event in Istanbul.

“I want my fair shout, and I don’t believe I’ve got a fair shout the last two times. I don’t know what I’m going to have to do, because I can’t let it go to a decision.

READ MORE : “Gypsy King” Tyson Fury names three potential opponents as he

“That’s the one I want, but if I don’t get that then it will be (Anthony) Joshua, the biggest British boxing fight that will ever happen.

Anthony joshua

Usyk is currently gearing up to face IBF heavyweight world champion Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium on July 19, with Fury seemingly uninterested in a prospective meeting with the Londoner.

“If I did come back, hypothetically speaking, if I was to return and box Daniel Dubois, he wouldn’t land a glove on me, it would be a one-sided beat-down,” he added.

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“I wish him luck in his fight against Usyk, but styles make fights and his style and my style don’t gel. I would annihilate him.

Tyson fury

Alalshikh paved the way for another familiar period of hope and speculation over what might lie in store for Fury next as he confirmed the Gypsy King’s pending return on X.

“The ‘Gypsy King’ will be back!!! I talked with him, and I have his word to have him in Riyadh Season in 2026. We have a rabbit to hunt!” Alalshikh wrote.