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Jake Paul has been no stranger to a controversial decision during his colourful boxing career. However, news of the purse that he has accepted to face former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is genuinely surprising – even by the standards of ‘The Problem Child’.

The social media superstar was heavily criticised for taking on a 58-year-old Mike Tyson last November in a bout that descended into farce. An embarrassingly low number of punches were landed during the 10-round contest, as the heavyweight legend looked every bit of a man just a few years shy of his 60th birthday.

While Paul vs Tyson never lived up to the pre-fight hype, the 28-year-old still banked a fortune, reportedly earning as much as $40 million for the bout. According to Saudi Arabian boxing power broker Turki Alalshikh, Paul has agreed to a very different purse for his proposed clash with Joshua.

Alalshikh and Paul have rarely seen eye-to-eye in recent years, with Turki making his dislike of some of Jake’s choices crystal clear. Despite this, the pair were pictured together shortly after Paul’s victory over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr last month. Among the topics they discussed when meeting was a potential fight with ‘AJ’.

Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua’s professional boxing records (as of 18/07/25)
Jake Paul Anthony Joshua
Fights 12 32
Wins 11 (7 KOs) 28 (25 KOs)
Losses 1 4

During a recent rant on his podcast, Jake vowed that he would knock Joshua out, as the Brit “doesn’t have a chin”. Unsurprisingly, those comments soon made their way back to Joshua, who swiftly set up a phone call with the upstart fighter. Ultimately, the duo agreed to meet each other in the ring in a bout that has been pencilled in for 2026.

Jake Paul has Already Agreed to Face Anthony Joshua – With a Surprising Purse Split

Boxing’s most powerful promoter wants to see the fight happen

Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua

Now undeniably one of the most powerful men in the sport, it was inevitable that Alalshikh would have some involvement in the fight. Speaking during a recent appearance on ‘Tha Boxing Voice’ podcast, Turki explained why he is so keen to see Joshua vs Paul take place.

“I’m not against what Jake Paul’s doing in boxing, it’s good for boxing to have a younger generation… I’m against some kinds of fights he does. I’m now thinking of him against Joshua…. Joshua, if he destroys (Paul), it will be good for me….The headache of Jake Paul goes from my mind!”

Alalshikh then confirmed the unique financial terms that he had offered Paul for the fight which, remarkably, he revealed had already been accepted.

If Jake Paul wins, I will know that Joshua is finished, and Jake Paul deserves his ranking and deserves to have a future in boxing….I don’t want 50-50. In this situation, I want 99-1. Jake Paul has accepted. Now, next week, I will talk with Joshua about it.”

Given the stature of the names involved, it is not unreasonable to assume that Paul and Joshua could be fighting with a $50 million prize purse on the line. Assuming that Jake is true to his word, his 1% share would be worth just $500,000, compared to the staggering $49.5m that the Londoner would walk away with.

‘AJ’ would be a massive favourite for the fight if it does happen. With such a prestigious prize pot available, Joshua may struggle to turn down the opportunity to earn so much cash with seemingly such little risk involved.

Whether Paul will actually agree to what must be classed as one of the worst deals in boxing history remains to be seen, but the fight itself looks to be an ever more realistic prospect.

Claressa Shields Shares How Much She Loves Spending Quality Time With Papoose In Latest IG Story

Claressa Shields and Papoose relationship highlights the collision of celebrity, personal vulnerability, and public perception.

Claressa Shields is enjoying every minute of her relationship with rapper Papoose. In her latest IG story, she shares with her followers the day’s activities, which mainly includes being around the rapper. After accepting an award in College Park, Georgia, the GWOAT shares a clip featuring Papoose walking through a gleefully hallway.

Shields identifies Pap as “My man,” while she pans the camera to him and reciting the trending catchphrase. “I just been with my man, my man, my man,” she chants to a grining Pap.

On Livebitez’s Instagram account, the original clip of the catchphrase would be added behind instrumental to the classic Field Mob and Ciara track, “So What.” “He’s fine I don’t blame her,” commented a fan under the commment section of the Livebitez post.

The “My Man” catchphrase stems from a viral social media clip by City Girls’ Yung Miami. “My man, my man, my man,” Yung Miami chants in the popualr clip. Since then, the catchphrase has become heavily used by many to describe the love for their significant others.

Claressa Shields & Papoose

The GWOAT and Pap have quickly become one of pop culture’s most talked-about and polarizing couples. Their romance, first revealed in late 2024, ignited controversy when Papoose’s estranged wife, rapper Remy Ma, allegedly leaked private text messages between the boxing champion and her husband. The public fallout sparked widespread speculation across social media platforms, casting a spotlight on the pair’s relationship even before it had fully taken shape.

Despite the drama, Shields has defended the bond. In interviews, she called Papoose’s support unwavering and described their connection as rooted in mutual respect and friendship. She confirmed that their relationship developed gradually through constant communication, even as Papoose remained legally married to Remy Ma. For Shields, the partnership represents emotional stability during a period of both personal and professional intensity.

Lamont Roach Makes U-Turn On Gervonta Davis Rematch Status After Tank’s Arrest

Lamont Roach doubts Gervonta Davis rematch will go ahead as planned.

Gervonta Davis and Lamont Roach looked set to have their rematch on August 16. However, Davis was arrested on July 11 on charges of domestic violence against his former girlfriend, who is the mother of the boxer’s two children. He has since been released from custody.

Reports emerged that ‘Tank’ Davis stopped training following the incident on June 15th and that PBC was exploring a new date for the rematch, noting that the initial date could be postponed a week or two.

The rematch currently looks in limbo, and Roach has now provided an additional update regarding the likelihood of the fight going forward. He initially claimed the rematch would go ahead as planned on August 16, however, his latest comments contradict that stance and he now doubts the rematch will go ahead at all.

During his latest stream, ‘The Reaper’ said:

I ain’t gonna lie bro, I just think this n**** don’t wanna fight. Remember when I tweeted, can he hold up his end of [the deal]? He still ain’t getting past that. That makes me mad, I am not gonna lie. It’s still a possibility but I think little bro just don’t wanna get in there. I really think that.

Roach added that there’s no certainty about the rematch going forward and he is unhappy about it. He says he’s been looking sharp in training but thinks Davis is too scared to have a rematch.

Their first fight back in March ended in a majority draw where Davis retained the WBA lightweight title. ‘Tank’ took a deliberate knee in the fight which wasn’t correctly counted as a knockdown.

Roach (25-1-2, 10 KOs) stood toe-to-toe with Gervonta Davis (30-0-1, 28 KOs) and took what ‘Tank’ had to offer. He landed some significant counter shots of his own, often stumbling Davis. It was certainly the toughest fight of Davis’ career.

Some believe Roach is the perfect anecdote to Davis’ style while others reckon ‘Tank’ didn’t take the fight as seriously as he should have. All these narratives make the rematch an intriguing prospect, which unfortunately looks in serious jeopardy at the moment.

Jake Paul accepts ludicrous terms to fight Anthony Joshua during Turki Alalshikh meeting

Jake Paul has proven he is serious about facing Anthony Joshua by accepting an incredibly low purse split for the crossover clash.

‘The Problem Child’ met with Saudi powerbroker Turki Alalshikh last week to discuss a possible fight with AJ.

Paul has set his sights on the former unified heavyweight champion after overcoming Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in his last outing.

The YouTuber-turned-boxer vowed to knock out Joshua during a lengthy rant on his podcast where he claimed the Watford powerhouse ‘doesn’t have a chin’.

This led to a phone call with the Olympic gold medallist, where both men verbally agreed to face each other in 2026.

Boxing mogul Alalshikh was then contacted to get involved with the fight.

And during a recent appearance on ‘Tha Boxing Voice’, he revealed that Paul had accepted his proposal for a 99-1 purse split in Joshua’s favour.

“I’m not against what Jake Paul’s doing in boxing, it’s good for boxing to have a young generation,” said Alalshikh.

“I’m against some kinds of fights he does. I’m now thinking him against Joshua. Joshua, if he destroys (Paul), it will be good for me.

“The headache of Jake Paul goes from my mind.

“If Jake Paul wins, I will know that Joshua is finished, and Jake Paul deserves his ranking and deserves to have a future in boxing.

Turki Al-Sheikh and Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul

“I don’t want 50-50. In this situation, I want 99-1.

“Jake Paul has accepted. Now, next week I will talk with Joshua about it.”

If Paul signs for these terms, then Joshua will receive a 99 per cent lion’s share of the total prize pot.

Both men are commercial juggernauts in the boxing sphere, and the expectation is that they would demand a similar cut.

Paul pocketed $40million to fight Mike Tyson last November, but under Alalshikh’s terms, he wouldn’t come anywhere near that sum.

On the flip side, Joshua would bank one of the biggest purses in boxing history.

There will undoubtedly be serious money on the line for the fight, and with a 99 per cent share, Joshua could make eight figures.

Anthony Joshua vs. Jake Paul showdown confirmed by Saudi boxing chief

Jake Paul isn’t slowing down after his latest win. In fact, he might be stepping into the most outrageous-and ambitious-fight of his career.

According to Turki Al-Sheikh, one of the most powerful figures in global boxing promotion and a key figure behind Saudi Arabia’s recent boxing boom, Paul has already given a verbal “yes” to fightingAnthony Joshua. Al-Sheikh broke the news during a recent appearance on Tha Boxing Voice podcast.

“Jake Paul accepted now,” Al-Sheikh said“Next week, I will talk with Joshua about it.”

While Al-Sheikh has been critical of some of Paul’s matchmaking-like the polarizing (and postponed) Mike Tyson fight-he didn’t hide his curiosity about a potential clash with Joshua“If Joshua just destroys him, that’s good for me,” he said. “And if Jake Paul wins? Then Joshua is finished, and Paul deserves to be ranked.”

The Fight Nobody Asked For-But Everyone Will Watch

Paul (12-1), who just beat former world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. by unanimous decision, is now ranked No. 14 in the WBA cruiserweight division. The ranking raised eyebrows-and opened new doors. His post-fight callouts included several high-profile names, but none stood out quite like Joshua.

Joshua, on the other hand, has been eyeing a showdown with Tyson Fury. But with Fury now officially retired, options are shifting. And according to Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn, the idea of facing Paul isn’t as far-fetched as it once seemed.

“If Jake Paul was mad enough to do it, I think Anthony would probably say yes as well,” Hearn told talkSPORT Boxing. “Not really a fight we’ve been targeting-but if it’s presented, why not?”

That sentiment echoes what many in boxing are starting to realize: in today’s fight landscape, spectacle often trumps tradition.

Paul fired back at critics on X, writing, “I will do what I want, with who I want, when I want… You rodents talk so much s— but when I take on the biggest challenges, you start having panic attacks.”

Whether it’s bravado or brilliance, Paul knows how to stay in the spotlight. Now, the ball is in Joshua’s court. And if he agrees, the sports world might be looking at one of the most talked-about boxing events of the decade.

The fight between Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul now has the backing of Turki Al-Sheikh.

Following his most recent victory, Jake Paul shows no signs of deceleration and could be entering the ring for the most audacious—and ambitious—bout of his career.

As per Turki Al-Sheikh, who is a major player in worldwide boxing promotion and instrumental in the recent surge of boxing in Saudi Arabia.

During a recent appearance on the Tha Boxing Voice podcast, Al-Sheikh announced the news, revealing that Paul has already verbally agreed to fight Anthony Joshua.

Turki Al-Sheikh on Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul

He said, “Jake Paul accepted now.

“Next week, I will talk with Joshua about it.”

“If Joshua just destroys him, that’s good for me.

“And if Jake Paul wins? Then Joshua is finished, and Paul deserves to be ranked.”

Although Al-Sheikh has criticized some of Paul’s matchmaking decisions he has expressed interest in a possible matchup with Joshua.

Paul, who recently defeated former world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. with a unanimous decision, is now ranked No. 14 in the WBA cruiserweight division.

The ranking caused surprise and created new opportunities and called out Joshua.

On the other hand, Joshua has been looking forward to a clash with Tyson Fury.

Now that Fury is officially retired, options are changing, and the prospect of facing Paul doesn’t seem as far-fetched as it once did.

Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury must both overcome one last hurdle to seal long-awaited fight

Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury are on the verge of finally getting their hands on each other.

British boxing fans have been clamouring to see the domestic dust-up for the best part of nine years.

But despite several attempts to get the blockbuster showdown over the line, both men are yet to meet in the ring.

That could be about to change next year, though, with Turki Alalshikh hatching a plan to stage the all-British clash in 2026, provided they both come through tune-up fights first.

“Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury next year, we are trying to do it and we are thinking about it,” said Alalshikh during a recent appearance on ‘The Boxing Voice’.

“I need to have for each, one tune-up fight first.

“Why? Because they are both coming off losses. It’s to build it up.”

Tune-up fights have proved costly to Alalshikh’s plans in the past.

The Saudi boxing mogul thrashed out a deal with Joshua and Deontay Wilder for the pair to meet in March 2024, contingent on both boxers winning their respective fights on the ‘Day of Reckoning’ bill four months prior.

Joshua held up his side of the deal by blasting Otto Wallin away inside the distance.

However, Wilder came up short against Joseph Parker, thus derailing a lucrative encounter with AJ.

The same thing happened when Alalshikh dangled a money-spinning rematch in front of Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney earlier this year.

Haney beat Jose Ramirez on Ring Magazine’s unprecedented Times Square card in May, but Garcia fell to defeat against Rolly Romero.

While it makes sense to have Joshua and Fury rebuild their careers after coming off defeats in their last outings, it would be a travesty for British boxing if the bout succumbed to the same fate as the aforementioned examples.

Joshua vs Fury remains one of the most commercially viable fights in the sport today, despite both men’s current run of form.

Fury is coming off back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk and has only recently reversed his retirement after seven months on the sidelines.

Meanwhile, Joshua hasn’t boxed since last September when he was knocked out by Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium.

Fury is currently filming a documentary with Netflix and won’t be able to fight again until next year.

If Alalshikh is insistent upon the duo having tune-up fights, then that means their long-awaited meeting will likely fall sometime in the second half of 2026.

On July 11, at Madison Square Garden in New York City, Katie Taylor once again defeated Amanda Serrano for the third time, headlining a stacked all-women’s card promoted by Most Valuable Promotions. Following the historic card, MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian appeared on the ArielxAde DAZN Boxing Show, revealing his interest in working with Claressa Shields (16-0, 3 KOs) and teasing a potential big fight at super middleweight.

Most Valuable Promotions at the Forefront of Women’s Boxing

Nakisa Bidarian Teases Super Middleweight Fight for Shields

On the undercard of Taylor vs Serrano 3, Shadasia Green (16-1, 11 KOs) faced Savannah Marshall in an IBF/WBO women’s super middleweight unification bout. Marshall started brighter, producing cleaner punches.

Nakisa Bidarian Teases Big Fight for Claressa Shields After July 26

Boxing News

Nakisa Bidarian Teases Big Fight for Claressa Shields

Most Valuable Promotions at the Forefront of Women’s Boxing

Nakisa Bidarian Teases Super Middleweight Fight for Shields

On the undercard of Taylor vs Serrano 3, Shadasia Green (16-1, 11 KOs) faced Savannah Marshall in an IBF/WBO women’s super middleweight unification bout. Marshall started brighter, producing cleaner punches.

In the fourth round, after numerous warnings, Green was deducted a point for holding. Following this, Green fought her way back into the fight, winning many of the close-up exchanges. Green was still on top at the end and had her hand raised via a split decision, with one card reading 96-93 for Marshall, while the other two read 95-94 and 96-93 for Green. Shadasia deserves huge credit for the adjustments she made and is now the new unified IBF, WBO and Ring Magazine women’s super middleweight champion.

When speaking on the ArielxAde Show, Bidarian was asked if there was a possibility of Claressa Shields vs Shadasia Green. Bidarian did not hesitate with his response: 100%. The fight with Claressa and Shadasia makes a lot of sense, 100%. Shadasia vs Savannah again makes a lot of sense.

“I see no reason why we wouldn’t do a deal with Claressa Shields, once she gets through July 26th (against Lani Daniels), to make her versus Shadasia Green happen,” added Bidarian.

Claressa Shields vs Lani Daniels Undercard

  • Tony Harrison vs Edward Diaz, 10, middleweights
  • Samantha Worthington vs Victoire Piteau, 10 rounds, for vacant WBA women’s interim super lightweight title
  • Pryce Taylor vs Robert Simms, 8 rounds, heavyweights
  • Caroline Veyre vs Licia Boudersa, 10 rounds, WBC women’s featherweight eliminator
  • Da’Velle Smith vs Martez McGregor, 8 rounds, super middleweights
  • Cameran Pankey vs Dominique Griffin, 6 rounds, featherweights
  • Leon Lawson vs Ryan Wilczak, 8 rounds, middleweights
  • Jaquan McElroy vs Joshua Flores, 4 rounds, middleweights
  • Kahmel Makled vs Devario Hauser, 4 rounds, light heavyweights
  • Sardius Simmons vs Demetrius Banks, 4 rounds, heavyweights

Stay with Big Fight Weekend for coverage of Shields vs Daniels, including results and video highlights, and post-fight analysis.

Joshua found himself in the news in 2017 after Amir Khan accused him of sleeping with his wife – but ‘King’ has since admitted he made a big mistake

Amir Khan admits he has a ‘professional’ relationship with Anthony Joshua after he admitted to throwing the heavyweight star ‘under the bus.’

Both Khan and Joshua were recently pictured together in Ghana – nearly a decade on after the latter took to social media to claim his wife Faryal Makhdoom had cheated on him with the two-time world champion. ‘AJ’ at the time denied the accusations, posting: “Bantz aside, I hope you guys can resolve your situation, or this is a hack as we have never even met!”

Khan hit back and said the messages did not come from a hacker. “Everything you saw on social media today is real,” he said. “Nothing’s been hacked. But yeah, what’s done is done. Everything I posted on social media today was true,” he added. Khan and Makhdoom exchanged verbal blows on Twitter before agreeing to separate. That said, they have since rekindled their marriage.

Recently, Khan provided an update on his relationship with Joshua and admits he made a ‘mistake’ and claims that they have in fact made up. Speaking to Covers, he said: “We’re both professional people, and we just moved on. It was all just a mistake, and it was all just rubbish, really.

Tyson Fury’s lets feelings known on MBE snub as he misses out on honours list again

Oleksandr Usyk baffles Daniel Dubois with four-word message

“There was nothing true there. And, yeah, at the end of day it was a bit silly that I threw him under the bus over a message which wasn’t really him. He was just coming up in the ranks then as well and, really, it was a bit sad that I did that at the time.

“So, I take full blame for that little issue me and AJ. But the good thing about it was nothing was true and, obviously, me and him have made up and he came to my event in Ghana. We spent some time together, we chilled together, and we speak to each other on the phone here and there — on WhatsApp — so, we have a very professional relationship now and we keep it good.

“We have mutual friends, and they were in the same spot and the last time I sat with him in Dubai; it was after his loss against Usyk and out of the blue he just says: ‘Oh bro, one thing I want to say to you is you were an amazing fighter, Amir.’ It was quite shocking hearing that coming from one of the heavyweight greats in AJ. And he said, ‘I was watching one of your fights, I think against Judah, and bro, you boxed so well. He was a great fighter.’

“And it’s nice to hear that from another champion, you know? I don’t know if it works the same if another reporter comes to you and says your interviews are amazing, or the way you present yourself is amazing. But when another boxer comes to you who’s a great fighter, and you’ve had issues with him in the past, but they come back and acknowledges and respects what you’ve done in the game — and he’s done it at the highest level as well — it goes a long way.”

The 38-year-old went on to show his class after stating Joshua put UK boxing back on the map after his career ‘went down.’ He concluded: “Definitely, yeah. We must respect each other at the end of day because, look, what you’ve done for boxing is massive. In 2004, boxing was lit up by me coming back from the Olympics and then after my career went down a little bit then AJ lifted it back up again in 2012.”

When is Anthony Joshua’s next fight?

Anthony Joshua 

 

Over the last few weeks, Eddie Hearn has revealed Joshua will have a fight before the end of the year. The boxing promoter hopes that his star client will settle the score with Fury once and for all, but admits ‘AJ’ is now looking to move on with his career.

In an interview with Sky Sports, when asked about the future of Joshua, Hearn replied: “Yeah, good, he had that operation recently… that elbow surgery, which went very well. You will see him return in October, November or December. We’re looking for that opponent in the top ten. Deontay Wilder I think fights next week.

“I know he is a name that has been mentioned. For AJ, like I said, 2026 I think could be his last year in the sport and it seemed to get headlined, but what else do you expect? That is three or four fights away. He cannot go on forever! He is motivated. Physically feeling good now to return to camp and ready for one little last roll to this incredible career.

“Hopefully that involves a fight with Mr (Tyson) Fury. But after he is done parading his kilt around on Netflix, hopefully he joins us in the ring in 2026. It would be an incredible occasion for British boxing. But first thing is first, AJ will return during that period this year and obviously he must win and that performance will tell us a lot about the future of Anthony Joshua.”

Trainer of boxing world champion who fought Anthony Joshua & Wladimir Klitschko ‘killed in military operation in Africa’

IGOR NESTEROV, the trainer of former boxing world and Olympic champion Alexander Povetkin, has been killed in a combat operation, according to World of Boxing Promotions.

A statement from the organisation revealed the news of Nesterov’s death on Wednesday.

While the full details of his death were not provided, according to VKontakte, Povetkin himself said that he had been killed in an African country.

Nesterov was in Povetkin’s team as a strength training coach and sparring partner as he won super-heavyweight gold at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

As one of the 45-year-old’s closest friends, Nesterov also saw Povetkin become the WBA (2011-2013) and WBC interim (2020-21) world champion.

Povetkin was also a gold medal winner at the World Championships in 2003 and two European Championship titles in 2002 and 2004.

The statement said: “We regret to inform you that Igor Nesterov died during the execution of a combat mission…

“The passing of Igor Nesterov is a great loss for the entire boxing family. It is hard and bitter to realize that he is no longer with us.

“On behalf of the promotion company ‘World of Boxing’, we express our deep condolences to the family and friends of Igor.

“Rest In Peace Boar… Your memory will always remain with us.”

Povetkin and Nesterov had known one another since 1998.

The Russian had previously participated in a military operation in Ukraine.

As reported by RIA Novosti, Povetkin said of his friend: “Igor Anatolyevich Nesterov, unfortunately, died.

“In one of the African countries. Previously, he participated in the SVO, and then went there.

“I have known him since 1998. Igor was a devoted friend and patriot of our country.”

Povetkin has also fought against the likes of Wladimir Klitschko, Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte.

He was defeated in single title bouts by Klitschko and AJ.

Meanwhile, he had beaten Whyte during their first meeting in 2020 to win the interim WBC heavyweight title before losing in 2021 to Whyte in what was his final fight before retirement.

However, earlier this year it was revealed Povetkin has been serving a four-year ban for doping, which has cost him a DECADE of fight results.

He was slapped with the sanction after it was discovered he’d failed a drug test back in October 2014.

An investigation by the International Testing Agency into systemic doping in Russian sports discovered a sample returned by Povetkin after his clash with Carlos Takam came back positive for Ostarine.

But he continued boxing as the positive sample, which was retrieved from the Moscow Laboratory by the World Anti-Doping Agency, went UNREPORTED.

Povetkin tested positive for Ostarine and Meladonium – the drug at the centre of Maria Sharapova’s doping scandal – in 2016 and was hit with a one-year ban.

But the uncovering of his failed test in 2014 has seen him handed a four-year sanction.

An ITA statement read: “After being notified of the case and informed of his procedural rights, the athlete decided not to challenge the anti-doping rule violation.

“Povetkin’s ban came into effect on October 21 2024 and will be in force until October 20 2028.

“In addition, the athlete’s results from October 25 2014 until the start of the athlete’s provisional suspension on October 21 2024 have been disqualified.

Including the results obtained during a boxing match held on the night of October 24/25 2014.”

The wiping out of a decade’s worth of wins for Povetkin has seen his triumphs over Brits Hughie Fury, David Price and Whyte overturned to No Contests.