Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua near 2026 bout after 'agreement in principle' with MVP

Jake Paul has an agreement in principle to fight Anthony Joshua in 2026, the American's promoter said Friday. Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions, told reporters that the two sides are moving toward final terms. The disclosure comes as Paul is preparing to box an exhibition against fellow American Gervonta Davis in November at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, a show that will be streamed on Netflix.

Bidarian said Joshua is '100 percent' a target for Paul, and that negotiations with Joshua's promoter, Eddie Hearn, have produced what he described as an 'agreement in principle' for a 2026 bout in Africa, with Ghana floated as a possible site in February. In the meantime, Paul will face Davis on Nov. 15 in Atlanta.

Hearn confirmed that an offer has been presented to stage a bout in Ghana, a development that could serve as a warm-up to a potential fight against Tyson Fury next year. Joshua has not fought since a knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois last September, a lapse that has kept the heavyweight plans in focus for both camps.

Paul’s November showdown with Davis is an exhibition at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, streamed on Netflix. Davis, a 5-foot-5-inch lightweight, has knocked out 28 of his 31 opponents and remains a popular test for Paul as he plots a path toward higher-profile contests.

The Philippines-born, British-born Joshua has not competed since that September loss, and the Joshua-Davis talks and the Africa-based 2026 plan add a layer of complexity to a potential superfight that would further reshape the crossover boxing landscape. Paul previously faced Mike Tyson in a major exhibition in Texas, a bout held under modified rules that drew global attention and underscored Paul’s willingness to pursue marquee names on big stages.