Barry Hearn suggests that a potential fight between Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul could generate more interest than a long-anticipated matchup between Joshua and Tyson Fury. Joshua has been out of action since his defeat to Daniel Dubois in September, while Fury briefly retired following losses to Oleksandr Usyk but has now confirmed his return to the boxing scene. Despite the desire of fans to see Joshua take on Fury, Hearn explains that the market demand is leaning towards a showdown between Joshua and Paul, as both fighters have expressed their willingness to engage in a verbal and physical battle.
In a recent interview with IFL TV, Hearn emphasized the importance of meeting market demands, stating that the audience’s preferences should dictate the direction of sporting events. He acknowledged that while traditionalists may favor the Joshua vs. Fury matchup, the majority’s interest appears to lean towards a clash with Paul. Hearn stressed the significance of listening to stakeholders like broadcasters, fans, and sponsors to guide decision-making in the boxing industry.
Jake Paul himself has confidently announced his intention to face Joshua in the ring next year, claiming it will be a historic event in boxing. Meanwhile, Joshua is recovering from elbow surgery and aims to return to the ring by the end of the year. His promoter, Eddie Hearn, revealed that Joshua is focused on resuming his career after pursuing a fight with Fury for some time, but still holds aspirations of eventually meeting the ‘Gypsy King’ in the ring before retiring.
Looking ahead, Eddie Hearn anticipates Joshua’s comeback in the latter part of the year, following a successful surgery on his elbow. As discussions continue about Joshua’s future fights, there is a growing buzz around the potential matchup between Joshua and Paul, which could reshape the landscape of heavyweight boxing.