Jake Paul Eyes Anthony Joshua Fight as Turki Alalshikh Teases Deal

Jake Paul is expressing renewed confidence in a potential bout against Anthony Joshua, following comments from Saudi boxing executive Turki Alalshikh. While attending a fight event at Wembley, Alalshikh stated, “Why not? It is a win-win deal,” when asked about the feasibility of Paul facing the former world heavyweight champion. This two-word endorsement has sparked fresh interest in a matchup that was once seen as unrealistic for the YouTuber-turned-boxer.

Alalshikh confirmed he has been in discussions with Paul, who was present at Wembley for Oleksandr Usyk’s knockout victory over Daniel Dubois. “I’ve seen him,” Alalshikh noted. “He is a guest of Queensberry. We are talking now about the future, we will see.” Although Paul and Joshua have verbally agreed to a fight in 2026, the boxing community remains cautious, as any official announcement would require both fighters to be in the ring.

If the match materializes, it would represent a significant challenge for Paul, who faces considerable skepticism due to Joshua’s extensive background as an Olympic gold medalist and former unified heavyweight champion. Nevertheless, Paul showcased his trademark confidence when speaking to talkSPORT’s Gareth A. Davies, stating, “It’s gonna happen, it’s gonna happen. I want it to happen here (Wembley). All the odds are stacked against me. I believe that I will beat him and shock the world and create one of the biggest upsets in boxing history.”

Adding to the intrigue, former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has expressed support for Paul, even suggesting he would place a £1 million bet on the American to pull off the upset against Joshua. Reacting to Fury’s remarks, Paul said, “I’ve seen that. He’s backing me. He’s a smart lad.”

As negotiations progress, the likelihood of Wembley hosting the fight appears strong. This anticipated matchup would mark only the third time in Paul’s professional career that he would compete outside the United States. His previous international bouts include a loss to Tommy Fury in Saudi Arabia and a stoppage victory over Ryan Bourland in Puerto Rico.

Joshua, who has not fought since a knockout defeat to Dubois in September 2023, remains a formidable opponent. Paul, undeterred by the challenges he faces, has expressed his excitement about fighting in the UK. “Man, I love it,” he said. “The UK fans really love boxing, even more than American fans. I’ve been going around the pubs, talking to all the people and asking them about what they think about the fight. I just love the atmosphere, and I love to be here. It’s always history when you’re at Wembley.”

As both fighters and their teams explore the possibility of this high-profile event, fans are left eagerly anticipating what could be one of the most significant fights in modern boxing history.