Jake Paul just might get the biggest test of his boxing career and according to Turki Alalshikh, he’s already agreed to it.
After dominating Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and securing a top-15 ranking from the WBA in the cruiserweight division, Jake Paul has been on the hunt for high-stakes matchups. Now, Turki Alalshikh has revealed that Paul is ready to face former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.
“I’m not against him,” Alalshikh said on The Boxing Voice podcast. “I am against some kinds of fights he [does]. I want to tell you an example and a surprise. I am thinking me and him to doing him against Joshua now. I want to tell you something, Joshua if he destroys him, it will be good for me. The headache of Jake Paul is finished.”
Alalshikh made it clear, this isn’t just about money or spectacle. It’s about legitimacy.
“Let me explain it to you. Joshua against Jake Paul, if Joshua destroys him, the headache of Jake Paul will go from my mind. If Jake Paul win, I will know that Joshua is finished and Jake Paul deserves to be ranked and deserves to have a future in boxing. Right? Jake Paul accepted. Now next week I will talk with Joshua about it.”
This isn’t just talk. Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s longtime promoter, confirmed discussions with Alalshikh and admitted that they’re open to the fight. While the long-awaited Joshua vs. Tyson Fury bout remains the top priority, Hearn acknowledged that a matchup with Jake Paul could be next in line.
“Our focus is to fight Tyson Fury, but [Joshua] needs a fight before then,” Hearn told Boxing News. “If that’s Jake Paul, and if you guys want that fight, I know the numbers would be massive, the world would want to see it.”
Paul, now 12-1 as a pro, responded to the buzz in true Jake Paul fashion. He took to social media to send a message to critics and fans alike.
“I will do what I want, with who I want, when I want, in the boxing ring,” Paul wrote. “Anyone, anytime, anyplace. You rodents talk so much shit but when I want to take on the biggest challenges you start having panic attacks and deciding my demise.”
While Paul has built his record off names that don’t carry traditional boxing credibility, his win over Chavez Jr. and his recent run have forced people to pay attention. A bout with Anthony Joshua—who holds a 28-4 record and is coming off a knockout loss to Daniel Dubois—would represent a major leap in competition.
