Jake Paul responds to brutal claims Anthony Joshua will KILL him

Jake Paul has promised to silence his critics in a potential heavyweight showdown with Anthony Joshua.

In recent months, the YouTuber-turned-boxer has repeatedly demanded a clash with the former two-time heavyweight world champion. After defeating Julio Cesar Chavez Jr last month, the 28-year-old seized another chance to challenge the British fighter.

The internet star even made the journey to the UK for Oleksandr Usyk's clash with Daniel Dubois, hoping to encounter 'AJ.' However, the Watford native was surprisingly absent from the venue, reports All Out Fighting. Speaking to DAZN before Usyk's Saturday night encounter with Daniel Dubois, Paul - who was positioned ringside for the contest - declared he would face Joshua next year. "Yeah 100 per cent it's going to happen. We're going to do the unthinkable and create one of the biggest fights in the history of boxing," he said. "It's not even about it being realistic or not, it's going to happen so fasten your seatbelts. And when I knock him out I'll go down in the history books forever."

Paul subsequently double down on his statements during a chat with Seconds Out, stating: "Yeah, it is going to happen. Like seriously, it is going to happen. We were talking with Turki Alalshikh tonight, negotiations, live in person which are always fun. But, it is going to happen, and it is just such an exciting fight that crosses the whole globe. When you ask a lot of people about certain boxers, they do not know their names," he said. "And everywhere I go, I have just talked about Anthony Joshua and I am global. So, it is just such a good fight for the sport of boxing."

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Since challenging Joshua, several fans have boldly predicted that the British champion would savagely demolish the young American. Nevertheless, Paul has hit back at his critics and remains convinced he would emerge victorious should discussions of a potential bout materialise. "People think I will die, but I will show them why I can rise against all odds and beat him," he said. The 'Problem Child' was also keen to deliver a warning to his opponent. "Man, I am going to embarrass you in front of the whole world and steal your legacy and embarrass you."

Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn acknowledges a clash between Paul and Joshua could materialise in 2026 following the social media personality's acceptance of an astonishing one per cent fight purse for the prospective encounter. "Don't ask me how. Don't ask me why," Hearn said. "But if people want Anthony Joshua to evaporate the career of Jake Paul in one night, maybe we make it happen."

He added: "You know, obviously it'll be up to AJ and myself what AJ does, and [Most Valuable Promotions CEO] Nakisa [Bidarian] and Jake, what they do – but also the power of Turki Alalshikh bringing it together, making it a mega-event. We're up for it. You know, it's not a fight we targeted. It's not a fight we anticipated. But as I said, if it's there and it's open and it's a running-up fight before Tyson Fury, why not? It probably breaks the internet. It breaks the platform. It probably delivers the biggest numbers of any fight we've ever seen, and that's the crazy world we live in. For me, I don't expect it to be competitive, but do you want to see Jake Paul flattened? There you go. It's on a plate right in front of you."

When is Jake Paul's next fight?

Following his victory over Chavez Jr last month, Paul is set to compete once more before the year concludes. The American is now eligible to challenge for a world championship after being included in the WBC's cruiserweight rankings following his triumph over the former middleweight titleholder.

The 28-year-old's manager disclosed that his business associate is eager to compete for a world crown 'as soon as possible'. Nevertheless, he acknowledges it's unlikely to be his next bout, given the current situation at 200lbs. "Absolutely [he will fight again this year]. November or December," Bidarian told Ariel Helwani when asked about Paul's next steps.

"I'm seeing him tonight for dinner, and we will have a conversation [about his next opponent]. The only possibility right now is that Jake wants to fight for a belt as soon as possible. I have to talk to him, I think it's tough this year [to box for a world title]. Badou Jack is who he wants to fight more than anyone, and he has a mandatory rematch with the guy he just beat [Noel Mikaelian] for the WBC. I don't know if this year is possible [for the title fight], but we'll see."