Jake Paul has confirmed that Terence Crawford had agreed to fight him, only for Anthony Joshua to later emerge as his opponent for December 19.
The YouTuber-turned-boxer was left searching for a dance partner after discovering that Gervonta Davis, who he was supposed to face in an exhibition match on November 14, would no longer be a viable option.
This is because the WBA world lightweight champion now faces a civil lawsuit, filed by his ex-girlfriend Courtney Rossel, which includes domestic allegations of battery and kidnapping.
Since then, Paul, along with MVP Promotions co-founder Nakisa Bidarian, has revealed several names that were in the mix to face him next month.
One of which happens to be super-middleweight king Crawford, who produced a career-defining performance to outpoint and dethrone Canelo Alvarez in September.
According to Paul, Crawford had said yes to the potential clash before two-time world heavyweight champion Joshua was confirmed as his next opponent.
At the launch press conference for his showdown with Joshua, Paul claimed that Crawford had indeed accepted the fight, but wanted it to be pushed back to next year.
“We just started talking to a bunch of different camps [after the Davis debacle]. Tommy Fury was scared, [as] per usual. [He] wanted more time. Ryan Garcia was scared.
Terence Crawford said yes, but wanted to do it later next year. I was like, ‘Let’s get a fight in right now.’ Anthony Joshua said yes – he was ready [for] December.”
Joshua and Paul will now square off in an eight-round professional contest at the Kaseya Center, Miami, with Joshua being instructed to keep below a weight limit of 245lbs.
