YouTuber turned boxer Jake Paul has improved his professional fight record to 12-1 and turned his attentions back to British heavyweight Anthony Joshua.
Paul defeated former WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr by unanimous decision in Southern California on Saturday.
The 28-year-old's only loss in the ring was seven fights and more than two years ago against Tommy Fury in Saudi Arabia.
Despite a fiercely partisan crowd in favour of his opponent, Paul tore out of his corner early on and fought off a late flurry to hold on to the win.
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After seeing off Chavez, Paul teased imminent confirmation of a highly anticipated transatlantic slobberknocker.
Joshua would have a height and weight advantage over a younger opponent but Paul isn't cowed by the prospect of a pummelling.
"I'm definitely not a heavyweight, but I'm still gonna take the challenge," he told the media.
"You look at Deontay Wilder; he was beating these guys weighing 215 pounds, [Joshua is] like 6ft 6in or something, but anything is possible.
"Anthony Joshua is an insane fight, but I want that challenge."
Joshua, 35, has claimed 25 of his 28 professional wins by knockout and has been beaten four times.
One of those losses was a fifth-round knockout by Daniel Dubois in his last fight in September 2024. Dubois walked away as the IBF heavyweight champion having successfully defended the belt he was given after it was vacated by Oleksandr Usyk.
Chavez suggested after Saturday's fight that Paul started strong but tired, saying that the Cleveland-born boxer isn't ready to step up to the next level against champions like Joshua.
Nevertheless, the wheels are turning and Paul vs Joshua appears to be in the works for 2026.
"We've been DM-ing back and forth. He wants to make it happen. He called me up and it's looking very likely for next year," Paul revealed in Anaheim on Saturday.
Since turning pro in 2020, Paul has won seven fights by knockout.
Last November, he won by decision against 58-year-old Mike Tyson in a massively hyped fight in Arlington, Texas.
Joshua's last win came in March 2024 against Francis Ngannou, who he beat by knockout in the second round in Riyadh.
Topics: Boxing, Boxing News, Jake Paul, Anthony Joshua
Chris Nee