The YouTube star called out the former heavyweight world champion after his victory against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr last weekend and Joshua's promoter acknowledges that a bout between the pair would generate huge public interest.

Hearn told Sky Sports: "I think you have to give Jake his props and look he's a disruptor, he wants to create mad moments.

"If he wants to be mad enough to get in the ring with Anthony Joshua and make several tens or potentially hundreds of millions, he will do it, Jake Paul.

"Will AJ? He's his own man, but I will be saying, 'Yeah, go on mate. Go and deal with this guy. Get him out of the game.'

"I think a lot of people will tune in to watch. Is it a fight that I think should be happening? No, not really, but we live in a completely crazy world, especially in the world of boxing where you just never know."

Hearn insists that Paul - who would love the "challenge" of taking on Joshua - deserved praise for his career-best display against former WBC middleweight world champion Chavez Jr.

The Matchroom supremo said: "I've surprised myself this week because I haven't given him the respect that I think he deserves, which is look this guy has been fighting for a while now in big events around the world.

"He went into the game as a complete novice. I think he's made big improvements as a boxer. I think he's taking things seriously. I don't think he's a YouTuber anymore. I think he's a professional boxer.

"Is he top 15 in the world? Don't be so ridiculous. But is he top 100 in the world? Maybe and by the way, I know that might not sound as a compliment, that's a big compliment.

"I think his [boxing] IQ is improving. I think he can whack. I think he can take a shot. He beat Chavez who is a washed up guy but he was a former world champion that did train for that fight."