Overview

• Nakisa Bidarian of Most Valuable Promotions and Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing have confirmed they are in active negotiations for a bout targeted at the start of 2026.
• Paul comes into talks with a 12-1 professional record, including a ten-round points win over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in June.
• Joshua has not fought since his knockout loss to Daniel Dubois and is currently rehabilitating after elbow surgery.
• Promoters agreed a Saudi-backed purse split in July, underlining the event’s international financing structure.
• The proposed matchup features a four-stone weight difference and a stark experience gap that is driving its competitive intrigue.