From YouTube to Heavyweight?

In a move that has stunned both boxing purists and casual fans alike, social media sensation-turned-fighter Jake Paul has publicly declared his desire to take on former heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua. The 27-year-old American, known for his brash persona and viral knockouts, made the bold claim during a recent interview, citing “unfinished business” with the heavyweight division and calling AJ “a mountain I want to climb.”

Jake Paul, who boasts a professional record of 9 wins (6 by knockout) and 1 loss, has gradually stepped up his level of competition since bursting onto the boxing scene in 2020. Most of his wins have come against mixed martial artists, fellow influencers, and retired fighters, but he’s yet to face a genuine top-level boxer in his prime — let alone a towering heavyweight with Olympic pedigree and a resume like Joshua's.

The response from boxing promoter Eddie Hearn, who has long represented Anthony Joshua, was one of cautious intrigue.

“Look, Jake’s done really well for himself. He’s taken boxing seriously, he’s training hard, and he’s brought a new audience to the sport,” Hearn told Sky Sports. “But fighting Anthony Joshua? That’s a whole different world. AJ is a former unified heavyweight champion of the world. Jake’s a cruiserweight at best. It’s a mismatch — but it would sell, no doubt about that.”

Indeed, from a commercial standpoint, the prospect of a Joshua-Paul bout would be nothing short of box office gold. Paul’s enormous online following, combined with Joshua’s mainstream appeal and credibility in the ring, could potentially generate hundreds of millions in revenue. Pay-per-view figures would likely shatter records on both sides of the Atlantic, particularly with the added drama of influencer vs. elite athlete.

Despite the vast difference in size and skill, Paul appears undeterred.

“People said I couldn’t make it in boxing, but here I am. Joshua’s just another challenge. I respect him, but I think he’s beatable — and I’ve shocked the world before,” Paul said in a recent Instagram post.

Whether this is serious ambition or savvy self-promotion remains to be seen, but one thing’s for certain: Jake Paul continues to blur the lines between spectacle and sport, and if Eddie Hearn sees pound signs, anything might be possible.

For now, fans are left to wonder — could this be the biggest crossover fight in boxing history, or is Jake Paul simply chasing headlines once again?