Anthony Joshua could be set to fight Jake Paul before the end of the year and Tony Bellew shared his immediate thoughts on the contest.
Joshua has been out of action since a bruising loss to Daniel Dubois last September. He was knocked down early in the IBF world title contest and then stopped in the fifth round, and has been out recovering from elbow surgery in the meantime.
Though many hoped he would fight Tyson Fury sometime before the ultimate end of both men’s careers, American YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul has since emerged as the most likely opponent.
He has fought just 13 times against the likes of an almost 60-year-old Mike Tyson, retired MMA fighters like Nate Diaz and boxers past their best, such as Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, and was due to fight Gervonta Davis until the fight was canned when Davis was named in a civil lawsuit regarding domestic allegations.
Ahead of the proposed bout, former cruiserweight world champion Bellew expressed his doubts whilst speaking to Ring Magazine. Should it happen, he said ‘this won’t last long.’
“I don’t believe it. You don’t go from Gervonta Davis, who is five inches shorter than you and six stone lighter, to Anthony Joshua, who is five inches maybe more bigger than you and about 100 lbs heavier.
“I don’t believe it. And I won’t believe it until they’re in a boxing ring. If Anthony Joshua puts 10oz gloves on and Jake Paul is in the other corner, this won’t last long. It will last as long as Joshua wants it to last.”
If Paul is indeed willing to step in with Joshua, it is said to be a professional contest, rather than an exhibition.
