The boxing world may not have seen the last chapter of the Jake Paul versus Anthony Joshua rivalry. Despite suffering a devastating knockout defeat and enduring a serious jaw injury in their previous encounter, Paul appears determined to return to the conversation surrounding one of the sport’s most recognizable heavyweight names.
What makes the situation particularly intriguing is that Paul is not simply talking about moving forward with his career. His camp has indicated that another showdown with Joshua would be an ideal scenario, raising fresh questions about whether the American is genuinely prepared to revisit the fight that exposed the enormous difference between his experience and that of an established heavyweight champion.
A potential rematch in 2027 would represent one of the most controversial possibilities in modern boxing. However, there is an important distinction between expressing interest and securing an agreement. No official contract, date, venue, or rematch announcement has been confirmed.
For now, the possibility alone is enough to generate considerable discussion. Paul must first demonstrate that he can successfully return to competition, while Joshua has a major challenge of his own waiting in the form of Tyson Fury.
JAKE PAUL IS NOT READY TO CLOSE THE JOSHUA CHAPTER
When Jake Paul stepped into the ring against Anthony Joshua, he entered an entirely different level of heavyweight competition.
Paul had already attracted enormous attention through his unconventional boxing career, defeating several opponents with backgrounds in professional boxing and mixed martial arts. His victory over former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson further strengthened his reputation as a fighter capable of generating major sporting events.
But Joshua represented a completely different challenge.
The British heavyweight brought years of championship experience, considerable physical advantages, and the kind of punching power that had defined his professional career. Their December 2025 encounter eventually demonstrated just how difficult it could be for Paul to compete against an experienced heavyweight at the highest level.
Joshua stopped Paul in the sixth round, leaving the American with a broken jaw that required surgery and a lengthy recovery period.
For many observers, that defeat appeared to be a natural turning point. Questions immediately emerged about whether Paul would return to professional boxing or reconsider his ambitions following such a serious injury.
Yet the possibility of another encounter with Joshua has now reappeared.
Most Valuable Promotions co-founder Nakisa Bidarian has indicated that Paul would ideally like another opportunity against the British heavyweight. His comments have transformed what could have been a routine discussion about Paul’s comeback into a much bigger conversation about revenge, ambition, and the business of modern boxing.
The question is no longer simply whether Paul can return.
It is whether he can build a credible path toward facing the man who handed him one of the most damaging defeats of his career.
THE REMATCH TALK THAT HAS EVERYONE WATCHING
The most significant development surrounding the potential rematch comes from Paul’s own promotional camp.
Bidarian has explained that Joshua is an ideal opponent in Paul’s eyes. The American has also been linked to the possibility of facing Tyson Fury, particularly because Fury and Joshua are scheduled to meet in a major heavyweight showdown in Cardiff.
That creates an interesting situation.
If Joshua defeats Fury, Paul could theoretically pursue another opportunity against the British fighter. If Fury emerges victorious, the American has also been linked to the possibility of challenging the former heavyweight champion.
However, neither scenario guarantees that such a fight will happen.
Joshua and Fury have their own sporting priorities, contractual arrangements, and championship ambitions. A potential Paul rematch would have to compete with those considerations.
Nevertheless, the commercial appeal is difficult to ignore.
Their first encounter attracted enormous attention because it brought together two fighters from very different backgrounds. Joshua represented the traditional heavyweight boxing establishment, while Paul represented a new generation of crossover athletes capable of attracting audiences beyond the conventional boxing community.
A second fight would carry an entirely different narrative.
This time, Paul would not be entering the contest as someone looking to prove that he could survive against an established heavyweight. He would be returning with the experience of having already faced Joshua and the motivation of attempting to change the outcome.
That storyline could become a major selling point if negotiations ever develop into something concrete.
THE BIGGEST QUESTION: WHAT COULD PAUL CHANGE BEFORE FACING JOSHUA AGAIN?
One of the most fascinating aspects of the potential rematch is the question of strategy.
Paul cannot simply repeat the same approach and expect a different result against an opponent with Joshua’s experience and physical advantages.
A credible second challenge would require substantial preparation, careful opponent selection, and a realistic understanding of the weaknesses exposed in their previous encounter.
There are several areas that could become central to Paul’s development.
First, defensive discipline would be essential.
Against an experienced heavyweight, defensive mistakes can quickly become dangerous. Joshua has spent years competing against elite-level opposition, and his ability to recognize openings and capitalize on mistakes remains one of his most important strengths.
Paul would need to demonstrate better defensive positioning, improved distance management, and greater awareness when under pressure.
Second, physical preparation would become a major consideration.
The heavyweight division is not simply about strength or size. Conditioning, balance, movement, and the ability to maintain technique throughout a demanding fight can determine whether a boxer remains competitive.
Paul would need to prove that his training has developed beyond the approach that helped him build his early professional record.
Third, his team would have to examine the technical differences between the two fighters.
Joshua possesses considerably more experience against high-level heavyweight opposition. That experience cannot be erased through a single training camp.
For Paul, the challenge would be finding a realistic way to reduce the gap through preparation rather than relying entirely on confidence and promotional momentum.
Importantly, these are potential areas of improvement, not a confirmed strategy leaked by Paul’s camp. No detailed tactical blueprint for a 2027 rematch has been officially disclosed.
THE JAW INJURY THAT COULD DEFINE PAUL’S NEXT CHAPTER
Perhaps the most serious issue surrounding another Joshua fight is not promotional interest or financial opportunity.
It is Paul’s physical recovery.
The previous encounter ended with a broken jaw, an injury that required medical treatment and subsequent surgery. His recovery raised legitimate questions about whether he would be able to return to professional boxing safely.
For a fighter who has built much of his public identity around taking unconventional risks, the decision to return carries considerable significance.
Paul has since been medically cleared to compete, and his comeback plans have moved forward.
But medical clearance does not automatically mean that another fight against a heavyweight of Joshua’s caliber would be the appropriate next step.
There is a difference between being ready to box again and being prepared to face one of the most dangerous opponents in the division.
That distinction will be important as Paul’s career develops.
A carefully selected comeback opponent could provide an opportunity to rebuild confidence, regain competitive rhythm, and demonstrate that the injury has not permanently affected his ability to perform.
Jumping directly into another fight against Joshua would carry a very different level of risk.
For that reason, the next stage of Paul’s career could be more important than the rematch rumors themselves.
DECEMBER 24 COULD BE THE FIRST REAL TEST OF PAUL’S COMEBACK
Before any potential 2027 showdown with Joshua becomes realistic, Paul has another assignment to complete.
His return to professional boxing is scheduled for December 24, 2026, in Dubai, with former kickboxing champion Cedric Doumbe announced as his opponent.
The matchup gives Paul an opportunity to demonstrate that he can compete again following the serious injury suffered against Joshua.
It also introduces a different kind of challenge.
Doumbe has an extensive background in kickboxing and professional mixed martial arts. His striking experience makes him an intriguing opponent, although his background is different from that of a conventional professional boxer.
Paul will need to show that his recovery has translated into competitive readiness.
The comeback is particularly significant because the American has publicly maintained his confidence despite the setback.
He has previously suggested that the defeat did not change his belief in himself or his ambitions in combat sports.
That confidence will now face another test.
A convincing performance against Doumbe would not automatically make Paul a legitimate contender against Joshua. However, it could provide an important foundation for the next stage of his career.
A disappointing performance, on the other hand, would create additional questions about whether the American should pursue another heavyweight showdown.
ANTHONY JOSHUA HAS A MUCH BIGGER PRIORITY IN TYSON FURY
While Paul considers his future, Joshua is preparing for a fight that could have a significant impact on the heavyweight landscape.
His December 11, 2026, showdown with Tyson Fury in Cardiff is one of the most anticipated British heavyweight contests in recent years.
The two former champions have spent years being connected through speculation, negotiations, public comments, and repeated discussions about a potential meeting.
Now, they are finally scheduled to settle their rivalry inside the ring.
For Joshua, the fight represents an opportunity to strengthen his position in the heavyweight division and add another major victory to his professional record.
For Fury, it is a chance to establish himself against a longtime rival and demonstrate that he remains a major force in the sport.
The result could influence several possible future matchups.
If Joshua wins, discussions about his next opponent will become even more interesting. A potential third-party challenge from Paul could generate enormous commercial interest, although it would still need to make sense from a sporting perspective.
If Fury wins, Paul could find himself considering another high-profile opponent instead.
Either way, Joshua’s immediate attention is unlikely to be focused on a rematch with Paul while such an important contest remains ahead.
COULD A 2027 REMATCH BECOME ONE OF BOXING’S BIGGEST EVENTS?
There is little doubt that a second meeting between Paul and Joshua would generate significant attention.
Their first fight created a clear contrast between traditional heavyweight boxing and the increasingly influential crossover boxing market.
A rematch would introduce another layer to that debate.
Supporters of Joshua would likely point to the first encounter as evidence of the difference in experience and ability between the two fighters.
Paul’s supporters, meanwhile, could argue that a second opportunity would allow the American to demonstrate how much he has developed since their previous meeting.
The commercial possibilities would also be considerable.
Paul has repeatedly demonstrated an ability to attract attention, build anticipation, and turn boxing contests into major entertainment events.
Joshua remains one of the most recognizable heavyweight names in the sport, with a championship background and an established international following.
Combining those audiences could create an event with substantial promotional potential.
However, commercial interest alone cannot determine whether a rematch should happen.
The fighters would need to agree on the terms, the appropriate weight limit, the timing, and the sporting conditions.
More importantly, both men would have to decide whether the contest serves their respective careers.
For Joshua, there may be more valuable opportunities within the heavyweight division.
For Paul, another fight with Joshua could represent the ultimate opportunity to rewrite the story of his professional career.
THE PRESSURE IS NOW ON JAKE PAUL TO PROVE HE HAS LEARNED FROM DEFEAT
One of the most interesting elements of Paul’s boxing journey is his willingness to pursue opponents who attract criticism and skepticism.
His career has repeatedly challenged the expectations of traditional boxing supporters.
But facing Joshua exposed a fundamental reality.
There is a considerable difference between generating attention and competing consistently against experienced elite heavyweights.
That lesson could shape every decision Paul makes from this point forward.
A successful comeback would demonstrate resilience. A strong performance against a credible opponent would provide further evidence that he remains capable of developing as a professional boxer.
But a genuine rematch with Joshua would demand considerably more.
Paul would need to show that he has addressed the weaknesses exposed in their previous encounter and that he can approach the challenge with a more complete understanding of professional heavyweight boxing.
Simply wanting revenge will not be enough.
The American would need to earn the opportunity through his performances, preparation, and the willingness of Joshua to participate.
That is what makes the possibility of a 2027 showdown so intriguing.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT IN THE JAKE PAUL VS ANTHONY JOSHUA STORY?
For now, the situation remains a developing storyline rather than a confirmed rematch announcement.
Paul has expressed his desire to face Joshua again through comments from his promotional camp. His immediate priority is returning to competition against Cedric Doumbe in Dubai on December 24.
Joshua, meanwhile, has a major heavyweight assignment against Tyson Fury on December 11.
Those two fights could influence the direction of the conversation, but there is no confirmed agreement for Paul and Joshua to meet again in 2027.
The next few months could therefore become particularly important.
Paul must demonstrate that he can successfully return after his jaw injury. Joshua must first deal with the challenge presented by Fury. Only after those priorities are addressed can the possibility of another meeting become a more concrete discussion.
One thing is clear: Paul has not completely abandoned the idea of facing the man who stopped him.
Whether that ambition eventually becomes a genuine rematch remains to be seen.
And if the two fighters ever share the ring again, the central question will be impossible to avoid.
Can Jake Paul genuinely change the outcome against Anthony Joshua, or would a second encounter simply reinforce the lesson from their first fight?
FINAL VERDICT: REVENGE, BUSINESS, OR AN UNFINISHED BOXING RIVALRY?
The possibility of another Jake Paul versus Anthony Joshua fight presents an intriguing combination of sporting ambition, commercial opportunity, and personal motivation.
For Paul, it could be the ultimate opportunity to challenge the narrative created by his previous defeat.
For Joshua, it could represent another high-profile event, provided it fits his competitive ambitions and future plans.
But boxing history is full of proposed fights that generated enormous excitement without ever becoming reality.
Until a contract is signed and an official announcement is made, a 2027 rematch remains speculation rather than a confirmed event.
Paul’s comeback against Doumbe and Joshua’s showdown with Fury will provide the next important developments.
Only after those fights will the boxing world have a clearer picture of whether this rivalry has another chapter waiting.
Jake Paul wants another opportunity. Anthony Joshua has yet to agree to one. And that difference could determine whether the biggest rematch speculation of 2027 ever becomes reality.
