Boxing fans believe Anthony Joshua has avoided a fight with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul.

Last week, stunning reports emerged that Joshua is finalising a deal to face Paul before the end of the year. The heavyweight showdown would be broadcast live on Netflix and had been pencilled in for December 19.

Paul, 28, was due to make his boxing return last Friday, but was forced to call off his fight with Gervonta Davis after his opponent faced allegations of battery, false imprisonment and kidnapping from a former girlfriend. Joshua has not fought since being knocked out by Daniel Dubois in September 2024. He was already due to make a comeback before agreeing to fight the social media sensation, but that dust-up could be in balance following Paul's cryptic post.

Boxing fans have been convinced that the showdown is off after the 'Problem Child' posted: "HAHHAAHHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAH."

The boxing fraternity were quick to race to the comments section, with one user posting: "Don’t tell me Joshua pulled out," while another commented: "ANTHONY JOSHUA DUCKED JAKE PAUL." A third user replied: "Let me guess, they duck." Another user wrote: "Let me guess, not fighting AJ." Another commented: "Did Anthony Joshua duck?!" Another account was left stunned, replying: "No f****** way he’s ducking."

As of yet, though, nothing seems to suggest that the fight is fully off - with boxing fans merely speculating. With talks ramping up over a sensational showdown between Joshua and Paul, the two-time heavyweight champion is expected to take on the American, before a tune-up fight on February. Providing the Brit comes away unscathed from the two fights, he is hoping to go head-to-head with Tyson Fury next summer.

Joshua's fight with Paul is expected to be contested over eight three-minute rounds, with both fighters set to wear 10oz gloves. It is also anticipated that the result will indeed count on their respective professional records. Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has called for the showdown to take place under Queensberry rules. "No, not an exhibition. We're not interested in exhibitions. It's a real fight," he said.

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"There's stuff to be resolved and discussed. It would be a real fight with Queensberry rules, 10-ounce gloves. The rounds would be agreed. The weight, I mean, we may come down to a number that's more suited for Jake, if that is even a thing. It's a heavyweight fight. There was a bit of a jumping of the gun from the media last night.

"It's a cruiserweight moving up to heavyweight. We were going to have an eight-round fight this year, on an undercard somewhere. We didn't expect that to be against Jake Paul, but it just so happens that if it is, it's for 50 times more money than we were going to fight for.

"I think if there is any chance of that fight happening next week, you'll probably hear about it. It's not done, despite rumours. We have had an approach from MVP [Most Valuable Promotions]. I have my doubts. I mean, if he would be crazy enough to entertain that, we would be willing to oblige, in all honesty. I think it would be virtually impossible for the levels of money involved to turn down the opportunity to be in that fight. But, like I said, nothing confirmed yet, and we'll see what happens."

David Benavidez and Anthony Yarde will go head-to-head in a mouthwatering showdown on Saturday, November 22. The entire spectacle will be broadcast live on DAZN. This popular streaming service can be accessed as an additional subscription on television sets.

It's also available for live streaming via the official website or through the downloadable application. A DAZN membership costs £119.99 annually or £14.99 monthly, alternatively £24.99 on a flexible arrangement that permits cancellation at any time. DAZN's broadcast is expected to get underway at around 7pm GMT (2pm ET / 11am PT / 1pm CT). Yarde is expected to make the walk to the ring first in the main event at around 1am GMT Sunday morning (8pm ET / 5pm PT / 7pm CT) with Benavidez set to follow immediately after.