Jake Paul is seemingly closing in on a blockbuster return to the ring by year’s end, against former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.
Initially expected to return to action this weekend against current WBA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis, the polarizing Jake Paul saw the pairing shelved and scrapped at the final hour.
And on the hunt for a host of short-notice matchups to close out a December period of activity in the ring, Paul may have gotten his wish.
Linked heavily to a clash with former two-time world heavyweight kingpin Anthony Joshua earlier this year, the pairing seems to be on the cards next.
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Jake Paul in talks for Anthony Joshua showdown on Netflix
According to a new report from Ring Magazine, Paul and Joshua are in the process of finalizing a deal to meet at the heavyweight limit in Miami next month, with the outing set to be broadcast on Netflix.
“Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul are finalizing a deal for a heavyweight fight on Netflix in December in Miami, sources tell @ringmagazine,” Mike Coppinger posted on X.
Paul steps up massively to fight the former heavyweight champion after his exhibition with Gervonta Davis was cancelled. Major props to Paul.”
Sidelined for over a year, Joshua has not been in action since his devastating IBF heavyweight title fight loss to Daniel Dubois in London.
Jake Paul vowed to knock out Anthony Joshua
Tied to matchup for several months now, Paul was first urged to get by would-be foe Davis before even considering a matchup with Joshua by Matchroom Boxing boss Eddie Hearn.
However, in his pursuit of a matchup with the Watford star, Paul boldly claimed he would handily defeat the towering Olympian, even calling into question his ability to take a punch.
“I will f—— beat Anthony Joshua’s a–,” Paul said earlier this year. “He doesn’t have a chin, has no skill, and he’s stiff.”