Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul? No assure British Boxing Board of Management would sanction bout

There is no such thing as a assure the British Boxing Board of Management would sanction Anthony Joshua versus Jake Paul as an expert contest.

Joshua is a London 2012 Olympic gold medallist and a former two-time unified heavyweight world champion.

His final combat was a world title conflict with Daniel Dubois, which Joshua misplaced inside 5 rounds.

Paul made his title on YouTube however has had an influence on boxing. He has promoted main occasions and has a 12-1 skilled profession.

Paul although has solely boxed as soon as at heavyweight, and that was in opposition to a 58-year-old, long-retired Mike Tyson. He misplaced to Tommy Fury at 185lbs in 2023 and whereas he has overwhelmed Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, a former world champion, Chavez Jr’s title reign led to 2012 and was down at middleweight.

In addition to their wildly completely different expertise ranges in skilled boxing, Joshua is 6ft 6in and hasn’t weighed lower than 250lbs since 2022. Paul is 6ft 1in and has solely tipped the scales above 200lbs for certainly one of his bouts.

Nonetheless, their representatives have held discussions for a match-up, which even Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has referred to as “bizarre”.

There’s although no assure that Joshua vs Paul could be licensed within the UK as an expert combat. The occasion organisers must apply to the British Boxing Board of Management to contemplate it.

Hearn advised Sky Sports activities: “I would think the fight would most likely take place in the US anyway to be honest.”

Paul’s contentious however high-profile bout with Tyson was sanctioned in Texas, albeit over eight two-minute rounds with 14-ounce gloves.

Joshua has beforehand taken half in a crossover bout in Riyadh, when he levelled heavyweight MMA star Francis Ngannou in simply two rounds. However Ngannou was not solely a UFC champion, he got here into the combat with Joshua after impressing in a split-decision defeat to Tyson Fury over 10 rounds.

Joshua does produce other potential choices. France’s Tony Yoka, who succeeded Joshua as Olympic champion in 2016, has signed with British promoters Queensberry.

However Hearn advised Sky Sports activities: “We have not had any negotiations with Yoka.”

Joshua’s most interesting combat could be in opposition to long-time rival Tyson Fury, who has beforehand mooted a possible comeback in 2026. However most not too long ago Fury advised Sky Sports activities he would keep retired, insisting: “Too old, look at my beard, all grey. Boxing is a young man’s game.”

Nelson: I do not suppose Paul combat will occur!

Sky Sports activities’ Johnny Nelson stated: “I think Jake Paul is a brilliant promoter. He’s brilliant at getting the attention of the public.

“I do not see this combat taking place however what I do see is folks at the moment are speaking about Jake Paul in the identical sentence as Anthony Joshua. If by some miracle this combat does occur, that tells me Anthony Joshua has determined to money out, as a result of it is going to be a good-looking and unbelievable payday for what needs to be a stroll within the park for him.

“But then it’s a case of, well, what are you in this game for? You want to make money, that’s right, you want to be the best, be world champion again, I get it.

“So he is pondering, ‘shall I’ve just a little little bit of a play and get some massive cash – I do not know, a few hundred million – to combat Jake Paul, after which step into the large, actual world of boxing?’

“Or should he make this his bow out? If this fight, by some miracle, did happen, to me, it would be Anthony Joshua saying goodbye to our sport and walking out with a massive pay check.

“I do not suppose the combat will occur – that is simply my opinion.”

Watch the Riviera Field Cup dwell on Sky Sports activities on Sunday August 17