Amir Khan has blasted Anthony Joshua for considering a fight with Jake Paul, warning it could remove him from the heavyweight world title picture for good.
Both Joshua and Paul have teased the possibility of a fight in 2026 in recent weeks with the American claiming the two-time heavyweight champion ‘has no chin and no skill’ after his damaging defeat to Daniel Dubois last year.
While the prospect of Joshua taking on the influencer who has just 12 professional fights on his record – the majority of which coming against former MMA fighters – would once have seemed fanciful, Eddie Hearn has confirmed the two have been in direct talks to make it happen.
After coasting to victory over Mike Tyson, an opponent 31 years older than him in October, Paul is determined to secure a fight with one of boxing’s biggest names.
While Joshua would be expected to win a convincing manner as he did against another boxing novice in Francis Ngannou last year, former world champion Khan warns even Paul ‘holding his own for a couple of rounds’ would be a problem for the Briton.
‘I think Jake Paul has been running his mouth about everyone, and some people were linking my name to him as well,’ Khan told Metro courtesy of SpinBit.
‘Jake Paul is the same guy who fought and beat Mike Tyson. AJ and Jake would make a good fight.
‘We all expect Jake to get knocked out in the first round, but Jake could cause a massive surprise, not in beating him but holding his own for a couple of rounds at least. It’s a tough one to call.’
Paul’s record includes fights with only four legitimate boxers – losing one of those to Tommy Fury in 2023. Andre August and Ryan Bourland were relatively unknown names in the sport with Paul accused of ‘preying on older legends’ in his win over Tyson.
Joshua would represent a completely different challenge and a major swerve for the Briton.
Joshua has not fought since his knockout defeat to Dubois, still recovering from an injury with a long-awaited showdown against Tyson Fury still seemingly no closer to materialising.
Joshua is not currently in line for a world title shot with IBF champion Dubois and WBO, WBA and WBC king Usyk on collision course with Joseph Parker and Derek Chisora two mandatory challengers in the mix.
And Khan, who hung up his gloves last year, warns any detour involving Paul could be the final nail in the coffin in Joshua’s bid to become a three-time world champion.
Asked if pursing the Paul fight reflects badly on Joshua and Hearn, Khan said: ‘Definitely, it does. If AJ goes in and wants to fight Jake Paul then people will look at the resume and say “what the f**k’, that’s bull***t.
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‘Automatically, if AJ makes his mind up that he wants to fight a YouTuber for money then he’s never at the front of the line of fighting for a world title again because you can see that his heart would not be in it.
‘Anything can happen this is boxing but then again, is Anthony Joshua going to put it on the line as a two-time world champion and Olympic gold medallist?
‘He’s got everything going for him so why would he risk his career against a guy like Jake Paul?
‘He’s got a good contract with the Saudis and is making good money so I can’t see Turki wanting to make that fight. Then again, maybe AJ does take that fight.’
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