Anthony Joshua is set for a potential £70 million payday as talks advance for a huge showdown with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, with promoters aiming to stage the fight in Miami next month.
Sources close to the negotiations say a total purse of around £140 million is being discussed, with both fighters expected to take equal shares if the deal is finalised. Promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed on Thursday that the agreement is not yet complete but described discussions as “active.”
The bout would mark Joshua’s first return to the ring in over a year, following his knockout loss to Daniel Dubois. Insiders say an official announcement could be made as early as next week.
Unlike celebrity exhibitions, the event would be recognised as a full professional contest under Queensbury rules.
A major driving force behind the matchup is Netflix, which is keen to broadcast the fight. The streaming giant is currently producing a documentary on Joshua and previously aired Paul’s November 2024 clash with Mike Tyson — a spectacle that drew more than 60 million viewers globally.
Paul’s failed negotiations with lightweight champion Gervonta Davis revived long-running discussions with Joshua’s team, after over a year of speculation about a potential meeting.
“It’s not done yet,” Hearn told Daily Mail Sport. “There’s been a lot of gun-jumping on this. I think Jake Paul would be mad to take the fight, but we’re in talks. We were planning a low-key fight for AJ, but an opportunity came up to make fifty times more money.”
Responding to criticism from boxing purists, Hearn added: “Would it be great for Joshua’s legacy? No. But he’s already a two-time heavyweight world champion and an Olympic gold medallist. This is simply an opportunity — and fair play to Paul if he wants to get in the ring, because AJ won’t be messing about.”
Paul enters the negotiations with a 12–1 record largely built on bouts against past-their-prime fighters and lesser-known opponents, with his only defeat coming against Tommy Fury.
Frank Warren, promoter of Tyson Fury, also defended the proposed fight. “People will criticise it, but I don’t see the problem. As long as both guys are fit, it will draw a huge audience. AJ doesn’t make much noise in the US, and Paul does. People love a car crash. It’ll sell.”
Beyond the financial incentives, Joshua sees the matchup as an opportunity to shake off ring rust after a long layoff. He resumed light training earlier in the year, underwent minor elbow surgery in May, and stepped up conditioning again in October.
