Jake Paul Vs Anthony Joshua Fight Still Alive, Says Nakisa Bidarian

Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua may still share a ring, despite a string of hurdles that have cast doubt on the proposed showdown.

Talks between the YouTuber-turned-boxer and the former world heavyweight champion were believed to have reached an advanced stage earlier this year, with early 2026 pencilled in as a potential date.

However, reports in August suggested the negotiations had hit a brick wall over broadcasting rights, given Joshua’s exclusive contract with DAZN.

Instead of Joshua, Paul is now preparing for an exhibition bout against Gervonta Davis on November 14. The promotional tour kicked off Monday night in New York, but while the press conference was meant to spotlight the Paul-Davis contest, much of the attention shifted to the lingering question of whether Paul will eventually face Joshua.

Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions, gave fans fresh hope when asked about the matchup. “We have an agreement in principle,” he told reporters.

When pressed further by a Seconds Out host to clarify what he meant, Bidarian added simply: “To fight each other.”

Paul himself hasn’t shied away from stoking anticipation. On social media, he wrote that his plan is to first “kill David” before moving on to “slaughter Goliath,” a clear reference to Davis and Joshua respectively.

The prospect of Paul meeting Joshua has stirred plenty of debate within boxing circles. While some fans see it as a spectacle, others believe it could be one of the most marketable events of 2026 if the broadcasting issues are resolved.

For Joshua, who is aiming to re-establish himself at the top level, agreeing to fight Paul would be a major commercial gamble but one that could draw global attention.

For now, Paul’s immediate focus remains on the Davis exhibition in November, but Bidarian’s words confirm that behind the scenes, talks with Joshua’s camp are very much alive.