Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul could be a realistic prospect for 2026.
Paul has made a name for himself in boxing with his crossover fights against UFC fighters and has even made his desire to step in the cage known.
The crossover super-fight has been the talk of the boxing world for the past few weeks, with Eddie Hearn revealing discussions of the ‘mismatch’ have taken place.
Dave Allen, who is scheduled to fight Arslanbek Makhmudov in October, has the opportunity to land a seven-figure fight against Joshua if he wins his next bout.
Dave Allen slams an Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul fight
However, when asked about the potential of AJ taking on the influencer, he dismissed the chances of the fight happening.
In an interview with IFL TV, the British heavyweight, a fan favourite, did not hold back.
He said: “It’s a load of b- – – – cks. I’d be very disappointed if it happens. And I used to be good mates with Anthony Joshua many years ago, and I don’t believe he’d want to do it anyway.
“I don’t think it’ll happen. I don’t think he’ll want to. Anthony Joshua is a serious guy and a serious boxing man.”
The Watford fighter has been involved in a crossover fight before when he took on Francis Ngannou in March last year.
He knocked out the former UFC heavyweight champion in the second round of their bout after Ngannou lost a split decision to Tyson Fury.
Allen, though, explained that fight was very different from the prospect of the former unified champion taking on the 28-year-old.
“Ngannou was different because Ngannou could fight. Ngannou was the MMA world champion. He’s a specimen,” he said.
“I don’t think he will box Jake Paul. I’d be surprised if he did.”
Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul is a bigger global fight than AJ vs Tyson Fury, says Frank Smith
This rumoured contest is not necessarily about the sporting aspect of boxing, but is more focused on the entertainment and monetary value.
Fans, especially in the UK, would rather see a domestic clash with a returning Fury than Joshua face the cruiserweight in his supposed final year in the sport.
Frank Smith, the director of Matchroom, believes the ‘El Gallo’ fight is bigger than the ‘Gypsy King’ bout.
Speaking to TalkSport, he said: “It is random, but at the same time, it’s the biggest fight out there.
“The reality is Anthony Joshua, Jake Paul on a global scale is bigger than Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury. That’s the world we live in right now.”
He also confirmed the fight is a ‘real discussion’ with talks ‘ongoing’.
It is unlikely to happen at the end of the year because AJ was exploring a return fight from his elbow injury before heading into the big-money fights for 2026.