Eddie Hearn reveals Anthony Joshua’s response to Jake Paul’s shock call-out after the YouTuber insisted he would beat the ex-heavyweight champion

Anthony Joshua’s promoter has revealed how the former heavyweight champion reacted to being called out by Jake Paul.

Last week on his BS w/ Jake Paul podcast, the YouTuber insisted he would beat Joshua as he claimed the Brit has ‘no chin or skill’.

‘I know my boundaries,’ Paul said. ‘I want to fight Anthony Joshua because I know that I will f***ing beat Anthony Joshua’s a***.

‘He doesn’t have a chin, and he has no skill and he’s stiff. And I love you, Anthony. We’re friends, all this s***, but I want to fight you.’

Paul later showed himself receiving a call from Joshua, who put the caption ‘2026’ on Instagram as he hinted at a fight between the pair next year.

Eddie Hearn, who has guided Joshua’s professional career, has welcomed the crossover fight, but questioned the need to wait another 12 months for it to happen.

Jake Paul called out Anthony Joshua last week, despite the pair going paintballing together last year

Paul then showed himself receiving a call from the former heavyweight champion

Eddie Hearn has revealed Joshua would be more than happy to get in the ring with Paul

‘AJ would fight Jake Paul,’ Hearn told Matchroom Boxing in an interview put out on social media. ‘He would fight anyone, to be honest with you. 

‘And if Jake Paul wants to step up and fight Anthony Joshua, he will need the relevant insurance. But the only thing that was disappointing is that he said 2026. Do it in 2025 if you really want to do it.’

Paul came close to agreeing a super-fight with Canelo Alvarez earlier this year, only for the Mexican great to agree a lucrative four-fight deal with Saudi chiefs instead.

Now he has turned his attention to Joshua, despite the pair being pictured together while enjoying a game of paintballing last year. 

Hearn has given Paul his due for targeting some of the biggest names in boxing, but has backed his fighter to deal with the American comfortably if the fight ever materialises.

‘Those two have spoken, I spoke to AJ this morning and he went, “Of course, I’ll fight him”,’ Hearn continued.

‘Jake creates massive events, unbelievable viewership and no disrespect to Jake Paul but it’s a straightforward night’s work. 

‘I like this calling out of Canelo [Alvarez] and others. AJ is another chance. But if they are game, why not?’

Paul beat heavyweight legend Mike Tyson on points in his last fight in November

Anthony Joshua lost his last fight to Daniel Dubois and is currently recovering from an injury

Paul has had 12 professional fights, with his only defeat coming against Tommy Fury, the younger brother of former heavyweight king, Tyson.

Paul beat Mike Tyson in his last outing in November, as the heavyweight icon returned to the ring after almost 20 years away.

Meanwhile, Joshua is currently unable to train after suffering an injury setback, but is expected to be in a major fight later this year.

He has not been seen in the ring since being knocked out by Daniel Dubois inside five rounds at Wembley Stadium in September.