Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul slammed by heavyweight contender Tony Yoka

Linked to a fight with Joshua in recent days, Yoka says he cannot understand why his fellow Olympic champion would take on the influencer

Olympic gold medallist Tony Yoka says he cannot believe that Anthony Joshua is contemplating a fight with influencer-turned-boxer Jake Paul.

Matchroom Boxing chief Eddie Hearn and Most Valuable Promotions CEO Nakisa Bidarian have both added fuel to the fire in recent weeks when it comes to a potential bout between Joshua and Paul.

But Yoka, who joined Frank Warren’s Queensberry earlier this week, stated that the bout would be pointless, as Joshua does not need the money a fight with Paul would generate.

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The Frenchman told Box Nation: “That’s bull***t. I can’t believe it.

“You can’t make me believe that Anthony Joshua is going to fight Jake Paul, why?

“Joshua does not need money. He’s the heavyweight, he’s the fighter who makes the most. Everybody knows he’s the one.

“Joshua is still good for a heavyweight; he is 35, 36 years old, you can’t tell me he is going to fight Jake Paul.

“What’s the point? I can’t believe it.”

Like Joshua, Yoka won Olympic gold at super-heavyweight, defeating Joe Joyce in controversial circumstances at Rio 2016.

However, Yoka’s transition to the pro ranks has not gone as smoothly as his fellow Olympian, the Frenchman’s record standing at 17-3 and without a sniff of the world titles Joshua has claimed over the years.

In the days leading up to his announcement as a Queensberry fighter, Yoka has been linked to a professional rematch against Joyce, but also to a bout with Joshua.

When asked about the rumours linking himself to a fight with Joshua, Yoka stated that he left the negotiations for fights to other people.

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He shared: “I mean I've heard some rumours about it. I believe in my team, I believe in Queensberry, my team, my coach, to do the best, for the best fights for me.

“I’m not in any talks with him, so I don’t know what is going on. All I know is I’m getting ready for anybody.”

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