Boxing
Jake Paul favourite to be Anthony Joshua’s next opponent
Speculation is mounting over Anthony Joshua’s next opponent, with Jake Paul emerging as the 2/1 favourite with William Hill to face the former heavyweight champion.
Paul’s professional boxing career has never seen him take on an opponent of the level of Joshua, but it seems the American is fearless and willing to get in the ring with anybody to boost his profile. He has even called out Conor McGregor and is 1/2 to win that fight should it take place in 2025.
French Olympic gold medallist Tony Yoka is close behind in the betting at 5/2, while Congolese heavyweight Martin Bakole is also firmly in contention at 3/1.
A rematch with Daniel Dubois – the man who handed Joshua his most recent defeat – is priced at 5/1, alongside former super-middleweight champion Andre Ward.
Tyson Fury’s supposed retirement has been the topic of much conversation in the heavyweight division, with many expecting the Gypsy King to return to the ring for at least one final bout. Joshua has previously stated that he wants the Fury fight to happen, while Fury himself said, “if we both went to our grave without fighting each other, it’d be a travesty for British boxing.”
Fury is 6/1, joint with Deontay Wilder, to be AJ’s next opponent, but with the former world champions still technically retired, it may be a while before that bout is able to take place. That said, both fighters will want to stake their claim for being one of the best British heavyweights of all time, and a victory over the other would certainly do their cause no harm.
Bet on Anthony Joshua’s next opponent at William Hill
Latest odds:
- Jake Paul 2/1
- Tony Yoka 5/2
- Martin Bakole 3/1
- Dubois Rematch 5/1
- Andre Ward 5/1
- Tyson Fury 6/1
- Deontay Wilder 6/1
*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at time of writing
Spokesperson for William Hill, Lee Phelps, said: “Anthony Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has hinted that Jake Paul is the frontrunner for his next fight and our markets agree, with Paul our 2/1 favourite to take on AJ.
“However, Joshua’s team have reportedly travelled to Ghana recently to inspect facilities, with the idea of staging his next bout in Africa, which could point towards the likes of Tony Yoka and Congolese heavyweight Martin Bakole, who are priced at 5/2 and 3/1 respectively.
“The choice of Joshua’s next opponent is still wide open, with Daniel Dubois (5/1), Andre Ward (5/1), Deontay Wilder (6/1) and even the supposedly retired Tyson Fury (6/1) all in the mix, giving fans plenty to speculate about as negotiations continue.”
William Hill Ambassador Gareth A Davies had his say on the latest edition of the Final Round: “What’s happening with Anthony Joshua? He’s not really fighting Jake Paul next, is he? The other frontrunner is Tony Yoka, who’s lost to Carlos Takam and Martin Bakole – do we really want to see that either?
“We’re waiting for Tyson Fury! He’s retired, then he’s not retired, then he’s retired again, then he’s not, then he’s at Doncaster races and he says he’s never going to fight again!
“Then there’s Derek Chisora – we’re waiting for a fight. We don’t know what’s happening with Oleksandr Usyk or Riyadh Season and the Saudi Arabians say it’s not going to be Joseph Parker. Agit Kabayel hasn’t got a fight either and Fabio Wardley’s waiting. Come on everybody, shake up the heavyweight division!”
