Anthony Joshua urged to avoid Jake Paul showdown as former rival tells him to ‘get serious’ about boxing again

Anthony Joshua has been told to forget about trying to become a three-time heavyweight champion of the world if he agrees to fight Jake Paul.

The 35-year-old hasn’t fought since getting destroyed inside five rounds by Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in a IBF world title tilt in September 2024 and isn’t expected to make his return to the ring until early next year.

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Youtube-star turned-boxer Paul has won 12 of his 13 bouts since turning professional in 2020, suffering his only loss in points defeat to Tommy Fury in January 2023.

However his resume is littered with former mixed-martial arts fighters and ageing boxers, including ex heavyweight superstar Mike Tyson and former UFC world contender Nate Diaz.

Paul has agreed to face undefeated WBA lightweight world champion Gervonta Davis in an exhibition showdown on November 14 but Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed talks are still ongoing for his man to face the American in a huge crossover bout.

Joshua previously reigned as unified heavyweight world champion twice between 2017 and 2021 but has since fallen from the top of the three with back-to-back losses to undisputed title holder Oleksandr Usyk and his emphatic defeat to Dubois.

And one of the Brit’s old rivals insists he needs to be facing top-ranked opponents if he wants to reclaim his former glory.

Former WBO world champion Joseph Parker was outpointed by Joshua seven years ago but has got himself back into the mix for a title shot with impressive wins against Zhilei Zhang, Deontay Wilder and Martin Bakole.

And the New Zealand star – who faces fellow contender Fabio Wardley in London on October 25 – insists sharing the ring with Paul will do nothing for Joshua’s credibility in the sport.

Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “AJ was a great champion when he was a champion.

“And if he is serious about boxing and serious about still being involved in the sport at the top level, that fight doesn’t make any sense at all.

“Jake Paul has done well to promote himself in saying he’s one of the best in the world.

“But if you look at it, he’s not really a real boxer. He’s a Youtuber coming into boxing and he has done well.

“If AJ wants to be serious, then he needs to fight the top fighters in the world.”