The former heavyweight world champion and YouTuber are said to be finalising a deal for a bout in Miami in December, with an announcement expected next week.

Paul had been scheduled to take on American fighter Gervonta 'Tank' Davis on Friday (14.11.25) but the event was cancelled after Davis was removed from the card amid a domestic violence lawsuit from his former partner Courtney Rossel.

Following Davis' withdrawal, Paul's team explored the possibility of fights with Ryan Garcia and Terence Crawford before talks progressed with Joshua - who hasn't fought in the ring since losing a world title bout to Daniel Dubois in September 2024.

The British fighter's promoter Eddie Hearn recently suggested that he was open to his charge taking on Paul but claimed that there was no offer on the table yet.

The Matchroom boss said: "No, we've had some discussions.

"If we were to have a run out, a run out against Jake Paul would be quite pleasant.

"I'm not sure [Paul] is that mad. He might be, but nothing major to report at this stage. But I know they're going to make a decision themselves about what they're going to do.

"If he fights this year, you probably won't even hear about it unless it's Jake Paul."

Hearn added that a decision would be made imminently about Joshua's next fight.

He said: "We've already got opponents that we've been talking to about a run out fight.

"But the whole point is to not have to come and do [media obligations] and not have to just chill out, turn up on Wednesday or Thursday, weigh in, wrap your hands and go and fight.

"And it's got nothing to do with, obviously, the financials. It's just to do with getting back into the groove of fighting.

"Because every time he fights, [Joshua] has to go to a stadium and fight in front of 60,000 people in a tough fight. It's almost like just go out and just give me one to get back.

"We will make a decision this week on Anthony's next fight."