Many advised against it, but it seems Anthony Joshua accepting a fight with Jake Paul, and his subsequent victory, has opened up several doors for the heavyweight boxer.
AJ’s career was in danger of venturing into obscurity following his knockout defeat at the hands of Daniel Dubois. People began writing off the former world champion, believing his best years were far behind him and not expecting much else from him in the sport.
Those doubts were vanquished when Anthony Joshua delivered a decapitating knockout in his meeting with Jake Paul on December 19. Concerns were raised after the Brit accepted a fight against the YouTuber, but his performance has set him up for a huge resurgence in 2026.
Joshua wants to finally settle his differences with Tyson Fury after years of bad blood between them. However, before that fight can unfold, boxing powerhouse Frank Warren has shared a proposal for the 36-year-old.
“If he really wants to fight, fight Moses [Itauma],” Warren said regarding Joshua’s next opponent. “Fight Moses now. Fight Fabio Wardley now.”
“Do it tomorrow. Sign it tomorrow. If he says yes, I’ll go round his house. I’ll go round there right now. I’d have gone round there on Christmas Day, I’ll go round there, and we’ll get the deal done.”
Anthony Joshua was once the reigning WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO champion before losing them in 2019, regaining them the same year, and then dropping them once again two years later in a loss to Oleksandr Usyk.
On November 17, Usyk vacated his WBO title, which elevated interim champion Fabio Wardley to the undisputed champion.
To reclaim a throne he once held, Joshua must beat Wardley, which is a fight Frank Warren believes should be next.
“Of course I’ll do it. Why wouldn’t you do it? You want to fight for the world title? Fight Fabio Wardley,” Warren continued.
“In the meantime, if you’re not [wanting to fight for a world title], and you want to wait for Tyson, then wait for Tyson.”
“All these people keep saying he needs these things to get back in there, to get back for a world title. No, he’s not a spring chicken, is he? He’s been around. He’s a two-time world champion.”
“Jump back in. There you go. Fabio Wardley—another guy who’s had no amateur experience. Let me tell you what it is.”
Six years his junior, Fabio Wardley would pose a real problem to Anthony Joshua in the ring.
While much less experienced at the top level of the sport, Wardley boasts true knockout power. Despite only being knocked out twice, Joshua is said to have a glaring inability to withstand heavy shots from his opponents, something Wardley has in spades.
Related: Netflix releases Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua viewership numbers
Not only is the Ipswich-born titan a knockout threat, but he is also capable of carrying that same power into the latter rounds. That force was on full display in his round 11 TKO over the insanely durable Joseph Parker two months ago, after trailing on the judges’ scorecards.
Becoming a three-time world champion would enhance any career move Anthony Joshua decides to take next, but the risk remains with an opponent of Fabio Wardley’s caliber.
An underdog with genuine upset potential, Wardley would be honored to collide with Joshua in the ring. Though in love with the fight idea, Frank Warren believes Joshua should avoid the matchup if he wants to pursue a future outing with Tyson Fury.
“What he doesn’t need to do, AJ, is fight anyone who can punch because there won’t be a fight with Tyson.”
Listen to Frank Warren’s proposal to Anthony Joshua below.
@thestompingground_
“𝙒𝙀 𝘾𝘼𝙉 𝙈𝘼𝙆𝙀 𝙏𝙃𝘼𝙏 𝙁𝙄𝙂𝙃𝙏 𝙏𝙊𝙈𝙊𝙍𝙍𝙊𝙒!”👀 Frank Warren says AJ should be fighting the likes of Moses Itauma or Fabio Wardley — and says it can be made right now 🔥 #anthonyjoshua | #boxing | #boxingnews | #fabiowardley | #mosesitauma
♬ original sound – The Stomping Ground
