Tyron Woodley isn’t yet sure if Jake Paul can beat Anthony Joshua, but he is confident that the American can hurt him.
Paul and Joshua are currently in conversations to get a bout between them over the line, with the latter’s promoter suggesting talks are already advanced.
While the boxing fraternity remain divided on whether or not a fight between them should take place, Paul’s former rival, Woodley, has given his verdict on how he sees it playing out.
The former UFC champion knows what it’s like to be hurt by Paul, having fought him twice in back-to-back encounters in 2021.
While their first meeting saw Paul win via split decision, their second bout saw him knock the MMA icon out to claim a second victory over his foe.
When speaking to Action Network, Woodley said: “I just feel like AJ got so much power and experience and Jake is crazy for even wanting that fight.
“But like I said before, he is faster, he is probably gonna be more agile, he’s probably gonna run around from AJ a little bit and try to get a shot in, but he’s still got power.
“You can’t tell me if he hit AJ flush on the chin there’s no chance he could knock him down. There’s a big chance he could do that.”
The last time we saw Joshua in the ring, he suffered a brutal stoppage defeat to Daniel Dubois in September 2024.
While the 35-year-old has had a decorated career so far, with a professional record of 28-4, he has been now been inactive for just shy of 12 months.
He said: “If Jake Paul hits Anthony Joshua flush on the face, he can be knocked down. I mean, he can be knocked out too. AJ has been knocked out. I’m not saying Jake’s going to win.
“The fight hasn’t even been made yet, so I’m not in a position to pick. But Jake has power. He has the ability that if he hits you, you can be knocked out.”
Are Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua likely to fight?
As ridiculous as this would have sounded when the YouTuber-turned-boxer turned pro just five years ago, it’s looking like the fight has a chance of actually happening.
Since entering the professional boxing scene, Paul has made quite the reputation for himself, especially after his controversial bout with heavyweight legend Mike Tyson.
As per the current talks, the fight would be likely held in America due to the unlikelihood of the British Boxing Board of Control sanctioning it.
Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has had plenty to say about a potential match-up between his man and Paul.
Hearn issued a simple warning to ‘The Problem Child’, should he seriously want to enter the ring with Joshua.
He said: “If you want to do the biggest numbers in the sport we’ll make it happen but please I just want you to like be careful what you wish for.”
Although, Joshua is also linked to a potential fight with Tony Yoka.
Yoka recently suggested that the heavyweight pair are considering a face-off in Ghana at the end of the year.