Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua are in real-deal negotiations to fight ... and AJ's longtime promoter, Eddie Hearn, says it could happen "early next year!" The Matchroom Boxing boss -- who has worked alongside Joshua for over a decade -- joined Babcock on the " TMZ Sports" TV show (airs nightly on FS1) ... and Hearn left us shocked.

Jake Paul is a "massive frontrunner" to be the next fighter to face two-time world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, promoter Eddie Hearn told Boxing News' Andi Purewal on Friday.

Joshua, 35, hasn’t fought since his rock-em-sock-em KO loss to Daniel Dubois 11 months ago at Wembley Stadium, but the last time he fought a novice pro boxer came in March 2024, when he absolutely obliterated and frankly embarrassed former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou.