ANTHONY JOSHUA’S immediate future looks unlikely to involve Jake Paul, shifting focus instead to who the former heavyweight champion will fight next.
The 35-year-old has not boxed since suffering the quickest defeat of his career 11 months ago, when Daniel Dubois stopped him in the fifth round of their IBF heavyweight title clash at Wembley Stadium. The loss was Joshua’s fourth in the professional ranks and ended his bid to become a three-time world champion.
At one stage, a bizarre crossover fight with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul appeared to be a genuine possibility. That matchup could still materialise early next year, but for now Paul will meet Gervonta Davis – the reigning WBA lightweight champion – in a November exhibition bout.
Another potential opponent linked to Joshua’s return is Tony Yoka. Like Joshua, the 33-year-old Frenchman is an Olympic super-heavyweight gold medallist, but his professional career has failed to reach the same heights.
Former two-weight world champion Carl Frampton believes a fight between the pair would be logical.
“I think Tony Yoka’s a good fight for AJ,” said Frampton.
“The Jake Paul fight against Joshua – I think it’s a one-round fight if it had happened. And maybe that’s the reason why Jake Paul doesn’t fancy it.
“I would like to see him in a fight like Tony Yoka. I think it’s a good fight. Two Olympic medallists, you can build a narrative around it, you can make a big story. And it’s a fight that the winner can go on to a bigger and better fight afterwards.”
A possible clash could even take place in Africa. Matchroom Boxing CEO Frank Smith recently visited a stadium site in Ghana, which has been rumoured as a potential venue for Joshua vs Yoka.
