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Jake Paul says his boxing career is “most definitely” in doubt because of the injuries sustained during his loss to British heavyweight Anthony Joshua in December.

Paul had two titanium plates fitted and some teeth removed after Joshua broke his jaw in two places during their heavyweight fight in Miami.

The YouTuber-turned-boxer went six rounds with two-time world heavyweight champion Joshua, but the bout was stopped when Paul failed to beat the count following repeated knockdowns.

“I’m getting some new scans in a couple of days, of the jaw, to get an update on the healing process. We’ll see what the doctors say,” he said on The Ariel Helwani Show.

“I think I’ll be able to get a more accurate timeframe, or can I even fight again? That is definitely in the realm of possibility.

“It does feel a lot better as weeks go by, but I definitely need to get cleared to be able to spar. I’m staying in shape and enjoying some mitt work. I’m always in the gym regardless.”

Paul’s defeat by Joshua saw the 29-year-old drop out of the WBA’s cruiserweight rankings. His previous opponents were largely made up of boxers well past their prime or former mixed martial artists.

Earlier this month, his partner at Most Valuable Promotions, Nakisa Bidarian, told BBC Sport Paul was eyeing a return to cruiserweight.

But asked if his boxing future is in doubt, Paul said: “Most definitely. I think it just depends on how the bone heals, and then also there’s a tooth missing – I’m pretty sure I’m going to have to get an implant of some sort.

“I don’t know how much time that’s going to add to things. But we just have to see and figure out what the smartest thing is for me.”

BOXING

“Joshua Knocks Fury Out” — Chisora Makes Bold Heavyweight Prediction

Derek Chisora has predicted that Anthony Joshua will knock out Tyson Fury inside four rounds when the two Britons finally meet, accusing Fury of jealousy over Joshua’s greater commercial pull ahead of their all-British heavyweight showdown, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Chisora, who has faced Fury three times and has consistently backed Joshua in the rivalry, told Sun Sport that he expects a swift and decisive finish when the pair eventually share a ring, most likely in November.

“Tyson can say whatever he wants to say, but he is going to talk so much crap. ‘AJ’ is having a warm-up fight, he has been through a lot. It is in Saudi because the war is done, so we are going to Saudi now for Riyadh Season,” Chisora said.

“The problem with Tyson is that he is jealous, because ‘AJ’ will do more numbers, more viewers, than he did in his fight on Netflix. This is simple maths. He’s going to come in there and talk crap, he can talk so much crap, but at the end of the day, I say this now — Tyson and AJ? AJ will knock him out in four rounds.”

Joshua headlines a Riyadh card on July 25 against Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga, his first fight against a recognized boxer since 2023 if one sets aside his stoppage of YouTube personality Jake Paul in December 2025.

Fury, who returned to winning ways in April with a points victory over Russian powerhouse Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, is also expected to take a warm-up fight in August before the Joshua showdown.

Both fighters need to come through their respective tune-up bouts for the blockbuster clash to proceed, with promoters Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren both stating the fight will be called off if either man suffers a defeat before hand.

BOXING

Anthony Joshua Could Yet Face Usyk Again, Says Hearn

Although Anthony Joshua and world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk have become training partners, promoter Eddie Hearn has not ruled out the idea of the pair having a third fight, reports boxingscene.com.

Usyk holds two victories over Joshua, and on Saturday fights kickboxer Rico Verhoeven on a bill in Egypt that Hearn is promoting.

Joshua makes his return to the ring in July against unheralded Kristian Prenga ahead of what is believed to be the long-awaited all-English heavyweight fight with Tyson Fury later this year.

While Fury has said his ultimate goal is a third fight with Usyk, who also has two victories over him, is Fury the endgame for Joshua?
That is not the case, said Hearn.

“His (Joshua’s) endgame is to win the world heavyweight championship again,” Hearn said.

“But definitely there are a couple of things that he wants to do. He wants to beat Tyson Fury, and he wants to win the world heavyweight championship again. So our plan right now is the plan that we can see that’s in front of us, which is Prenga and Tyson Fury. We’ve got to win those two fights. If he wins those two fights, he can walk into any fight, any championship that he wants. But we’ve got to win those fights.”

Would Joshua’s friendship with Usyk prevent another fight with the brilliant Ukrainian southpaw?
“I don’t think so,” Hearn said. “But boxing’s a funny old game. Part of AJ would always love to fight Usyk because he’s been beaten twice. And the same with Fury. They’re competitors. They want to try and take him on again.”

Hearn said an announcement on Joshua’s Saudi Arabia undercard would come in due course and that a press conference would likely take place early in June.

“But it’s going to be a very strong domestic undercard,” he said. Of course, it will be the first fight Joshua has had since the tragic car crash that claimed the lives of two of his closest friends. Joshua has not boxed since his December KO of Jake Paul in Miami.

“Everything that we’re seeing at the moment, his desire, his sparring, his training, looks great,” said Hearn. “But until you get in there, that’s when you’ve got to process everything that’s happened in your life and perform. I know everyone just presumes he’s going to walk in and smash Prenga to pieces, but I’ll be very pleased if he does, because there’s a lot of pressure going into this fight. Not just what’s coming after, but what he’s been through as well. And it’ll be a very emotional night.”

BOXING

Joshua Sets Sights on Winning a Third World Championship

Anthony Joshua has set his sights on a third stint at the top of the heavyweight division, with promoter Eddie Hearn revealing the former two-time champion has returned to training with renewed purpose and a clear plan to reclaim boxing’s biggest prize.

Joshua is scheduled to face Kristian Prenga in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on July 25, with a highly anticipated clash against Tyson Fury pencilled in for later in the year. Both fights, Hearn insists, are must-wins if Joshua is to get back to the top of the division.

“His endgame is to win the world heavyweight championship again,” Hearn told BoxingScene.

“But definitely, there are a couple of things that he wants to do. He wants to beat Tyson Fury, and he wants to win the world heavyweight championship again. So our plan right now is the plan that we can see that’s in front of us, which is Prenga and Tyson Fury.

“We’ve got to win those two fights. If he wins those two fights, he can walk into any fight, any championship that he wants. But we’ve got to win those fights.”

The road back has not been straightforward. Joshua suffered a defeat to Daniel Dubois and was also involved in a serious car crash in Nigeria, experiences Hearn acknowledged will weigh on his fighter come fight night.

The promoter said the early signs from camp have been positive, but warned that the real examination awaits once Joshua steps between the ropes.

“Everything that we’re seeing at the moment, his desire, his sparring, his training, looks great. But until you get in there, that’s when you’ve got to process everything that’s happened in your life and perform,” Hearn said.

“I know everyone just presumes he’s going to walk in and smash Prenga to pieces, but I’ll be very pleased if he does, because there’s a lot of pressure going into this fight. Not just what’s coming after, but what he’s been through as well.

And it’ll be a very emotional night.”

A win over Prenga would put Joshua on course for the Fury showdown that fight fans have long craved, and victory there would hand him a route back into world title contention for a third time.

BOXING

Frank Bruno delivers verdict on Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury ‘Battle of Britain’

By @Ajori111 May 6, 2026

Former WBC heavyweight world champion Frank Bruno has shared his thoughts ahead of the planned ‘Battle of Britain’ between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury later this year, in what is expected to be the biggest clash in the history of British boxing.

Bruno looked set to be the man to break Britain’s heavyweight hoodoo, with the United Kingdom not producing a champion in the division during the 20th century, at the point when ‘True Brit’ was in serious contention during the 1980’s.

However, Bruno was instead knocked out by Tim Witherspoon and Mike Tyson in two title challenges, before Lennox Lewis became the nation’s first heavyweight world champion since Bob Fitzsimmons in 1899, when he was elevated to champion in 1992.

The following year, Lewis and Bruno met deemed in a showdown billed as ‘The Battle of Britain’, as Bruno came up short in a third world title challenge, but eventually got his hands on the heavyweight crown in 1995.

That duo kickstarted a new era, with a plethora of Briton’s heavyweights becoming world champion in the years that have followed. Now, 33 years on from Lewis-Bruno, a duo of two-time rulers are poised to collide in a blockbuster at Wembley Stadium and Bruno told Seconds Out that Joshua’s mentality will prove decisive.

For Joshua-Fury to take place, ‘AJ’ must first dispatch of Albania’s Kristian Prenga, who he fights on Saturday, July 25, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

BOXING

“Ultimate Comeback” — Hearn Backs Joshua’s Return to the Top

By @Ajori111 May 6, 2026

Anthony Joshua has been hailed by Eddie Hearn ahead of his return to the boxing ring.

The former heavyweight world champion is set to make his comeback in July. His return will come just seven months after Joshua was involved in a fatal car crash in Nigeria.

The accident, which occurred in December, claimed the lives of two members of his team.

Joshua is now scheduled to fight Kristian Prenga in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on July 25.

The 36-year-old is then set to take on Tyson Fury in a long-awaited all-British bout later this year.

Ahead of his clash with Prenga, Hearn has labelled Joshua’s return the ‘ultimate comeback’.

Speaking to BBC Sport, the promoter explained, “We also know the risk of this is everything that he’s coming back from

“They’re calling this a comeback. People might think that’s quite strange because it’s only six months after he last fought, but it’s actually the ultimate comeback.

“It’s the comeback from the deepest of lows. Not just mentally and emotionally but physically as well.

“The injuries that he sustained in that crash, a lot of people would never fight again, and I think the strength that he has shown is quite incredible.”

Prenga boasts a 20-1 record as a professional, with the Albanian unbeaten for nine years.

The two-time heavyweight world champion defeated YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in December.

Paul was stopped in the sixth round in Miami as Joshua bounced back from his IBF title bout loss to Daniel Dubois in September 2024.

Joshua’s fight against Prenga will serve as preparation for taking on Fury later this year.

Hearn added, “There is a lot of pressure going into this fight, but there’s also a lot of questions to be answered.

“Physically, mentally, fighting again at all, and that’s why it’s needed.

“We want the best Anthony Joshua against Tyson Fury. We don’t want a guy that, ‘maybe he should’ve had a warm-up fight, he wasn’t quite ready’.

“We want to be 100 per cent ready for that fight and, if he is, he’ll beat him, and he’ll knock him out.”

BOXING

Moses Itauma’s Comeback Plans Updated Following Anthony Joshua Fight Changes

Moses Itauma was originally set to return on July 25 in London, however the announcement of Anthony Joshua’s ‘warm-up’ fight against Kristian Prenga on the same date in Saudi Arabia has forced a change.

Itauma was last out in March when he became the first man to stop American heavyweight Jermaine Franklin. It was the 14th win, and 12th knockout, of the young Brit’s campaign so far, as his team steadily builds up the levels in preparation for an inevitable world title run.

The Franklin fight was postponed from January due to Itauma suffering a bicep tear in training camp. Had it gone ahead as planned, he could have guaranteed three fights in 2026. That is still possible, however he has now been forced to move from July to August due to a date clash with former unified champion Joshua, who is fighting this summer with a view to then announcing his long-awaited clash with Tyson Fury for the end of the year.

Speaking on the Ariel Helwani show, promoter Frank Warren confirmed that his young charge will now move to August 8, and that the show will still be at London’s O2 Arena. Itauma will headline, and there are talks ongoing with potential opponents but nothing is signed yet.

Itauma is ranked number one with both the WBA and WBO, five with the IBF and two with the WBC. He has been called out by WBA Regular champion Murat Gassiev, which could be a significant bout if Super champ Oleksandr Usyk soon vacates the belt.

The 21-year-old may soon be called as mandatory challenger for the WBO belt, as per president Gustavo Olivieri, currently held by Fabio Wardley. Wardley defends his title against Daniel Dubois this weekend in Manchester. If he retains, it is unlikely his next defence will be against Itauma, as both men share the same trainer in Ben Davison. Should Dubois win to become a two-time champion, that fight sells itself.

Outside of the immediate title picture, Itauma’s team will also be happy with a top contender who can present a different style or level of danger as he continues to develop.

BOXING

Usyk Steps In to Guide Joshua’s Strategy Against Fury

Unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk believes Anthony Joshua will beat Tyson Fury and has been helping him come up with a gameplan for the all-British contest.

Joshua returns to the ring on 25 July to face Kristian Prenga in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and has signed a deal to fight long-term rival Fury later in the year.

The 36-year-old has been training with former opponent Usyk in recent months, spending time with the two-time undisputed heavyweight champion in Spain and Ukraine.

Undefeated Usyk, who has beaten both Joshua and Fury on two occasions, told BBC Sport: “In my opinion AJ wins against Fury.

“Fury is an unbelievable fighter and Fury is a very dangerous guy but I look how Anthony works and how he has changed.

“I like Fury, he is my greedy belly best friend, he’s an amazing fighter but I want Anthony to win – he deserves it.”

Usyk does not foresee Joshua encountering any issues against Prenga in what he calls “official sparring”, but has been advising him on how to overcome Fury.

The Ukrainian is preparing to defend his WBC title against Rico Verhoeven on 23 May in Egypt and will welcome Joshua into his camp over the next couple of weeks.

“We will help him in training,” Usyk said.

“We speak about strategy, boxing skills and psychology. We speak about fights, our fights, and I say ‘champ, come on, don’t stop’.”

Joshua’s last fight was a routine victory against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in December, but he has taken some time away from the sport to recover mentally and physically after being a passenger in a fatal car crash later that month that killed two of his friends.

Usyk said he could empathise with Joshua because he has lost friends during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine following the Russian invasion.

“I said ‘listen, God gave you one more chance. Take this chance and don’t stop or cry. This is life, pray every day and god will help you. Whatever you need I will help,” Usyk said.

“It’s hard but I think my friends now are like angels.

“Every day I pray for these guys – this is life. I don’t know what waits for me and my team tomorrow, but I continue to work, pray and help.

“If God gives you a gift every day then appreciate it. It’s hard but you must continue to live because God gives you that.”

BOXING

Joshua Tipped to Stop Fury in Explosive Prediction from Former Trainer

Robert Garcia, who trained Anthony Joshua for his rematch against Oleksandr Usyk, has predicted that Joshua will knock Tyson Fury out cold in their anticipated heavyweight showdown, provided the British fighter arrives mentally ready.

Garcia, speaking with ESNEWS, said Joshua possesses both the skill and the power to beat Fury, pointing to his right hand as the decisive weapon in the contest.

“If AJ is mentally ready, I think that AJ has the skills and the power to win. He has the right hand to knock him out, but he has got to be mentally and physically 100 per cent. Physically, I know that he is always ready — AJ is always in shape. He trains hard and was dedicated when I was with him,” Garcia said.

He cautioned, however, that Fury’s unpredictability made him a persistent threat regardless of his conditioning.

The former trainer was unambiguous about how the fight ends if Joshua connects cleanly.

“With that right hand, if AJ lands, he will knock him out cold. And he gets hit with a lot of right hands,” he said.

BOXING

Wilder Says No Contact Over Joshua Fight: “It Never Existed”

Deontay Wilder will not lament missing out on a potential bout with Anthony Joshua once again.

America’s Wilder, the former WBC world heavyweight champion, had been floated as a possible opponent for AJ this summer by Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn.

Hearn, head of Matchroom Boxing, suggested they would consider Joshua boxing Wilder before fighting Tyson Fury later on in 2026.

Joshua will box next in July, but that will come against unheralded Albanian Kristian Prenga in Riyadh rather than Wilder.

Shelly Finkel, the American’s manager, is adamant that Wilder has not been frustrated by missing out on fighting Joshua this summer.

“Eddie never reached out to us and Joshua obviously had no intention of fighting Deontay Wilder.