And with opinion divided on the mismatch between Paul and Davis set to be broadcast on Netflix, former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua<\/a> has been left in the lurch, so to speak.<\/p>\n However, it seems the Watford native has been thrown a lifeline on a potential fight with Paul \u2014 as soon as the new year, in fact.<\/p>\n Eddie Hearn provides update on Anthony Joshua vs. Jake Paul<\/p>\n One of the most interested parties in their go-around is Matchroom Boxing leader Eddie Hearn<\/a>, who is guiding Joshua to a 2026 return to the ring, in rather cautious circumstances.<\/p>\n And despite ruling the former two-time champion from a host of big-name fights in his immediate return<\/a> to the ring, Hearn revealed how Paul and company are confident of bringing Joshua to the ring for a clash in March of next year.<\/p>\n \u201cI actually spoke to Nakisa (Badarian) yesterday at length, about various stuff,\u201d Hearn told IFL TV. \u201cAnd they wanna move forward with the (Anthony) Joshua fight.<\/p>\n \u201cAround March 2026,\u201d Hearn revealed. \u201cBut I said to him, \u2018If you [Jake Paul] get chinned by Gervonta Davis, I can\u2019t possibly make the fight with AJ.\u2019<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026They don\u2019t think that\u2019s gonna happen.\u201d<\/p>\n And amid further links to a \u201cspecial\u201d boxing return<\/a> potentially at an event in Africa, a former world champion akin to Joshua has been tied to an overdue clash with the Brit next as well.<\/p>\n Deontay Wilder plays up super fight amid Anthony Joshua links<\/p>\n Most recently hit with a definitive callout by would-be common foe Francis Ngannou<\/a>, former undisputed WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder<\/a> seems to always find himself amongst the sweepstakes to face Joshua.<\/p>\n![\"Anthony](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/GettyImages-1485562778-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo by James Chance\/Getty Images<\/p>\n