Frank Warren’s Jaw-Dropping Revelation: Could the Heavyweight Battle of the Century Between Joshua and Fury Rise From the Ashes Post-Jake Paul Fight?
Anthony Joshua is prioritising a fight against Jake Paul next but could still finally face Tyson Fury, believes promoter Frank Warren.
Joshua has not fought since his knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois in September but continues to be strongly linked to an unlikely bout against YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul.
The duo have tried and failed to make one of the biggest fights in British boxing history in recent years, begging the question as to whether fans will ever seen them in the ring together. Warren, though, insists the interest remains.
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“There have been a lot of talks for a long time and it hotted up again recently,” Warren told Sky Sports News. “It’s all about whether this fight happens with AJ – for example if he fights Jake Paul and comes through it – and if Tyson has a fight. Who knows if they’ll get it on.
“Every time we talk about Tyson and AJ that subject comes up – when are they going to get in the ring together?
Fury recently pointed towards a return to the ring as he outlined his desire to fight Usyk for a third time in pursuit of revenge following successive defeats to the undisputed heavyweight champion.
In addition to Paul, Joshua has also been linked to a fight against fellow former Olympic champion Tony Yoka.
“There is talk of both of those fights,” Warren explained.
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“I think the fight taking priority in his (Joshua’s) mind – I don’t look after him, I look after Tony Yoka, he just signed with us and we’d like that fight – I think the preference for AJ is to fight Jake Paul because it’s a huge, huge money fight. It’s a crossover fight between – well, we say YouTube – he’s a professional boxer now.
“It’s a big step up for Jake Paul, and that seems to be the direction it’s going in. As to what he should do, he’s the guy getting in the ring and taking the punches, it’s got to be his choice.”
Yoka, who won gold at Rio 2016, has endured a mixed professional career with a record of 14-3 having seen his world title aspirations derailed by consecutive defeats to Martin Bakole, Carlos Takam and Ryad Merhy across 2022 and 2023.
Paul is 12-1 as a professional following June’s unanimous decision win over Julio César Chávez Jr., his sole career loss coming to Tommy Fury in February 2023.
“People are complaining about Jake Paul and when is he going to fight somebody, you have to take your hat off to him that he’s willing to get in with a former two-time world champion who is not an old guy,” Warren continued.
“It will be a defining moment to see what he’s all about, I’ve got my opinion of what happens but people will buy into it.
“It is a fight that will grab everybody’s attention.”
