It was reported last night that Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul are in the final stages of striking a deal to fight in December. Promoter Eddie Hearn has now responded.
Paul was left searching for an opponent when his promotional company and Netflix made the decision to cancel a November 14 exhibition against Gervonta Davis after the lightweight champion was accused of kidnap and battery.
Though there was a long list of potential names, it appears the YouTuber-turned-fighter revisited talks with ‘AJ’ from earlier this year and the Brit was happy to entertain him.
However, and despite the report, Hearn has told the Daily Mail that nothing is concrete just yet.
“It is not done yet. There has been a lot of gun jumping on this. I think Jake Paul would be mad to take the fight but we are in talks. We were discussing a very low-key fight for AJ but an opportunity has come up to make 50 times more money. People who criticise it have to be honest: what would you do in AJ’s shoes?”
Hearn also said that the fight will be professionally sanctioned rather than an exhibition – a point many will feel uneasy with given the gulf in experience and skill – and could earn his man upto £70 million.
Though this is a step away from the traditional side of the sport, Joshua still hopes to secure a long-awaited clash against Tyson Fury next summer.
More news on the event is expected soon.
