Anthony Joshua’s Next Fight: Eddie Hearn Pushes For Massive Jake Paul Payday, Dismisses Tony Yoka Negotiations

Eddie Hearn says there have been no negotiations between Anthony Joshua and Tony Yoka. He keeps hearing Yoka’s name being mentioned, but that’s not on the target list for AJ’s next fight. Hearn’s plans for Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs) to fight Jake Paul.

No Negotiations with Yoka

“Tony Yoka is a name that keeps getting thrown at me like it’s done. There have not even been any negotiations with Tony Yoka. He may be on a list of five or ten,” said Eddie Hearn to Boxing News about Anthony Joshua’s next fight.

Understandably, Hearn wants to do the Joshua vs. Jake Paul fight next. That’s the far bigger money fight for AJ, and it’s one that he would have a great chance of getting through without suffering a defeat.

Going up against the 6’7″ Tony Yoka brings more risk due to the size, pedigree, and the pop he has in his punches. Yoka isn’t the biggest puncher, but with his 82-inch reach, he has a better chance of landing his shots than Paul, who would be giving away six inches in reach to AJ.

The Paul Fight Payday

Hearn and Joshua will go for the mega-payday against Jake Paul while it’s still there. Once they’ve checked that box, Yoka could be the next target if Tyson Fury doesn’t come out of retirement.

“The opportunity to fight in Africa is a real one, and that’s what that site visit is all about,” said Hearn. “We’re very interested to look to do that, but my focus is to make the Jake Paul fight, and we’re getting closer to making that opportunity. I think that’s what will be next.”

It helps that Jake is eager to fight Joshua, as there won’t be any difficulty starting negotiations, unlike with Tyson Fury, who hasn’t shown much desire to face AJ for some reason. He knows what it would do to his career if he got poleaxed by Joshua. So, he’s choosing not to come out of retirement to fight him, even though it would likely be a career-high payday.

“Yes, I believe so,” said Hearn when asked if he thinks fans will see Joshua vs. Paul next.

Hearn has latched onto the Jake Paul fight for AJ and wants to get that one done next. What makes it important for Hearn to do it now is that Jake has been calling out Gervonta Davis. If he fights him first, he could get knocked out by the 5’5″ Tank. That would take away all interest in a fight between Joshua and Paul.