Boxing analysts Spencer Oliver and Gareth A Davies have warned Anthony Joshua that facing Jake Paul next would severely damage his credibility in the sport. The talkSPORT pundits weighed in after Paul's recent social media taunts questioning AJ's "skill" and "chin," which led to Joshua hinting at a potential 2026 clash in a cryptic Instagram post.  

Joshua, still recovering from his shocking September 2023 defeat to Daniel Dubois at Wembley, had been eyeing a comeback fight against Tyson Fury before the Gypsy King's retirement. While acknowledging the massive financial appeal of a Paul bout, Oliver stressed: "There's huge money on the table... but do we want to see it? No."  

The experts agree the timing is all wrong for the former two-time heavyweight champion. A matchup with the YouTube star now would be seen as a desperate money grab rather than a legitimate step in Joshua's career rehabilitation. Oliver suggested if the fight must happen, it should come "later rather than sooner," after AJ re-establishes himself against credible opponents.  

With Fury out of the picture, Joshua faces a critical career crossroads - pursue meaningful fights to regain his standing, or cash in on what many would view as a sideshow attraction. For boxing purists, the choice should be clear if Joshua hopes to reclaim his place among the heavyweight elite.