When Jake Paul’s fight with Gervonta “Tank” Davis fell through due to Davis’s legal troubles, Paul quickly sought a new opponent. He found one in Anthony Joshua, the former heavyweight champion. They’re set to clash at the Kaseya Center in Miami, with the match streaming live on Netflix.
Paul expressed surprise at this pairing. “I didn’t think this fight would happen this year,” he said, revealing that he initially planned to fight both Davis and then Joshua but decided to bump Joshua’s match up.
Interestingly, Paul nearly fought Terence Crawford, the three-division undisputed champion. Timing and marketing concerns held that match back. “We were very close to making it happen,” Paul shared, with hopes it might materialize in 2026.
His rivalry with Crawford hasn’t dimmed his ambition. Paul has maintained a “hit list” of fighters since 2021 and has already faced six of his twelve desired opponents. Along with Crawford and Joshua, former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou was also on his radar. However, Ngannou turned down an offer from Paul, saying he felt disrespected by the suggestion. “It makes no sense,” he stated.
In response, Paul expressed surprise at Ngannou’s refusal. He criticized Ngannou’s decision, suggesting it might backfire when Paul faces off against Joshua.
Looking forward, Paul has another intriguing name on his list: UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira. This potential fight could be tricky since Pereira is still bound by contracts with the UFC and Paul has had a rocky relationship with UFC’s Dana White. However, White’s new venture into boxing might open doors for future matchups.
Paul’s journey reflects a larger trend in combat sports, where fighters often cross disciplines. As the lines blur between boxing and mixed martial arts, fans eagerly watch to see how these rivalries develop.
For more on the impact of these crossover matches, check out a report by ESPN on the rise of hybrid fighters in combat sports.
Source link
