Jake Paul isn’t done shaking up the boxing world just yet. Fresh off a unanimous decision win over former middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., the YouTuber-turned-boxer has now set his sights on an even bigger name: Anthony Joshua.
Speaking at his post-fight press conference on Saturday night, Jake made it clear that he’s not afraid of aiming high — even if that means stepping up to heavyweight to take on the former unified world champion.
“I’m definitely not a heavyweight, but I’m still gonna take the challenge,” Jake said. “You look at Deontay Wilder — he was beating guys at 215 pounds. Anything is possible.”
And the fight may be closer to reality than fans think.
“We’ve been DM-ing back and forth,” Jake revealed. “He wants to make it happen. He called me up and it’s looking very likely for next year.”
Criticism from Chavez Jr. — and Jake’s Fierce Response
Despite his win, Chavez Jr. wasn’t convinced Jake’s ready for the heavyweight elite.
“He’s strong, a good boxer for the first three or four rounds,” Chavez said post-fight. “After that, I felt he was tired. I don’t think he’s ready for the champions.”
But Jake isn’t one to let criticism slide. The 28-year-old clapped back at doubters who still question the legitimacy of his career.
“I love this criticism because it shows how daft people are,” he told Extra. “They’ll call Anderson Silva one of the greatest fighters of all time, then completely discredit him once I beat him.”
Jake also pointed to his victories over other high-profile fighters like Tyron Woodley, Mike Tyson, and Mike Perry.
“Mike Perry was in his prime, a bare-knuckle god. They said he’d knock me out — and I knocked him out,” Jake said. “It just shows the stupidity of people and their low-level thinking.”
Could Paul vs Joshua Actually Happen?
While many boxing fans still consider Jake an outsider, there’s no denying he’s changed the way people talk about the sport. With talks already underway and both men reportedly keen on a 2026 matchup, a Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua fight might just be the next shocking chapter in boxing’s modern era.
Whether it’s spectacle or serious competition, one thing’s clear: Jake Paul isn’t afraid to chase the biggest names in the game.
