The Unforeseen Collision: Joshua and Paul on the Horizon

Eddie Hearn's Insights Amidst Boxing's Grand Stage

While the boxing world celebrated Oleksandr Usyk's second undisputed heavyweight championship victory over Daniel Dubois, a different kind of buzz permeated the air in Frisco, Texas. Promoter Eddie Hearn, present at The Ford Center, found himself discussing a highly unusual, yet potentially massive, heavyweight attraction.

Usyk's Undisputed Reign and the Quest for New Challenges

Hearn, attending a Matchroom card featuring Jesse \"Bam\" Rodriguez and Diego Pacheco, shared his profound respect for Usyk, hailing him as the pound-for-pound king. \"Usyk stands unparalleled,\" Hearn declared, emphasizing Usyk's dominance across weight classes and his repeat victories over top contenders. With Usyk having cleared his division, the sport now grapples with defining the next compelling matchups, leading to an intriguing pivot in focus.

The Surprising Lure of Joshua Versus Paul

As the conversation naturally turned to potential future contests, Hearn touched upon the desire for an Anthony Joshua versus Tyson Fury fight. However, he noted a growing momentum around a different pairing: Anthony Joshua against Jake Paul. This notion, driven by Paul's challenges and the involvement of influential figures like Turki Alalshikh, signals a shift towards spectacles that transcend pure sport.

A Commercial Juggernaut: The Financial Allure of an Unlikely Matchup

Despite the apparent competitive disparity, the financial implications of a Joshua-Paul bout are undeniable. Alalshikh's proposition, accepted by Paul with a seemingly minimal purse split, underscores the immense commercial appeal of such an event. Hearn, while expressing a degree of surprise, admitted his openness to the fight, viewing it as a potential massive draw for the sport.

The Internet-Breaking Potential of a Crossover Event

Hearn acknowledged that a contest between Joshua and Paul, though not a traditional boxing matchup, could be an unprecedented success. \"It probably crashes the internet,\" he quipped, envisioning record-breaking viewership numbers. This reflects the modern boxing landscape, where crossover appeal and viral moments increasingly dictate the most anticipated events, even if they challenge conventional sporting logic.