The possibility of a showdown between Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul is becoming more and more realistic. What once seemed like a simple friendly exchange between a former world champion and a social media star-turned-boxer has evolved into serious talks that could lead to a clash in the ring in the coming years.

The two first crossed paths in Dubai, at a time when Jake Paul was just starting to make waves in boxing. The American was on vacation after his victory over Anderson Silva, while Joshua was in the UAE for training and a break. Back then, the British fighter had respectful words for the “Problem Child,” praising his initiative and the media buzz he brought to the sport.

“He’s good for boxing. He has no amateur background and just jumped straight in. He’s learning under pressure, and that will help him evolve quickly,” Joshua said in an interview with IFL TV.

Anthony Joshua’s Reaction the First Time He Was Asked About Jake Paul

When asked for his opinion on Jake Paul, Anthony Joshua was straightforward and respectful: “He’s good for boxing.” That three-word sentence marked an unexpected endorsement for the then-rookie. For Paul, those words meant a lot. Years later, he recalled: “What matters most to me is when legends of the sport like Joshua, Tyson Fury, or Roy Jones Jr. respect you. That means more than the hate online.”

Over time, the idea of a potential fight between them has gained momentum. This past March, they shared an image of a video call with the caption “2026,” fueling rumors. Although the initial expectation was for a late 2026 date, Nakisa Bidarian, Paul’s promoter, revealed that talks with Eddie Hearn are already underway and that the fight could happen sooner.

“We’re considering early 2026. It’s a fight Jake wants, and he believes he can shock the world. Joshua has had a long career, and Jake is developing fast,” Bidarian told Sky Sports.

In the meantime, Jake Paul continues his rise. After defeating Julio César Chávez Jr., he entered the WBC cruiserweight rankings and is now eyeing a world title fight — although his team admits that may not happen in his next bout, which is expected in November or December.

The question remains: will we see Jake Paul take on one of modern boxing’s heavyweight icons? All signs suggest that the blockbuster fight is drawing closer.