Anthony Joshua looks set to end his 14-month break from the ring with fight against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul.
The former world heavyweight champion has not fought since he was stunned with a fifth-round stoppage by British rival Daniel Dubois in September 2024.
It halted Joshua’s momentum under trainer Ben Davison and his charge towards another world title tilt. But, on Tuesday, Eddie Hearn, the Matchroom promoter, revealed that a tune-up fight is on the cards.
Reports in the US suggest Joshua is close to finalising a bout with Paul in Miami this December after rumours about the duo have intensified in recent months.
Paul lost to Tommy Fury in 2023 before he beat Mike Tyson, the then 58-year-old boxing great, in an eight-round contest last year. He had been due to face Gervonta Davis until a civil lawsuit against the WBA lightweight champion scuppered that proposed November 14 exhibition bout.
Hearn confirmed that a decision was required this week if Joshua was to be active in 2025.
“We will make a decision this week in terms of if he will fight this year. We have to decide by this weekend basically,” the promoter told Sky Sports.
“It doesn’t really matter where it is. You won’t know about it until maybe even fight week. Honestly. That’s the whole purpose of it.
“I think it would be so good for him but bizarre at the same time because there’s no money in the fight. We’re not going to start using him to sell tickets. Literally he will just pop up on a show.
“He’s really up for it. I think it would be so good for him. I’d love him to go in there and just smash someone up.”
Joshua’s defeat to Dubois ended a run of four straight wins after back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk.
With old rival Tyson Fury expected to resume his boxing career in 2026, an eagerly-anticipated bout with Joshua is still a possibility for the duo.