AJ, 36, has not taken to the ring since his defeat to Daniel Dubois, 28, in September 2024 after he sustained an elbow injury, but the Matchroom Boxing promoter has now suggested Joshua could face off against The Problem Child, also 28, later this year.

During an interview with Boxing Social, Hearn said: “There will be no big-name fight this year unless it’s Jake Paul.

“It wouldn’t be a headline. It wouldn’t be a pay-per-view. You don’t have to moan about it. It can be part of something that already existed and on sale. So, there will be no one moaning.”

Hearn added AJ’s next bout would be on the undercard to prepare the former heavyweight champion for “the big gamble” in 2026.

He said: “It’s just part of the development to get into position to be 100 per cent ready for the big gamble [in 2026]. It doesn’t matter where. It’s not an Anthony Joshua fight night.”

Hearn also confirmed Joshua would be fighting again at one of Matchroom Boxing’s upcoming shows, which are taking place on November 15, December 13 and December 27.

Paul has long voiced his interest in fighting Joshua, and recently insisted the bout could “100 per cent” happen.

He told Sky Sports: “Our teams are already talking and in the works to try and make it happen for next year.”

Paul added it would be “fun” to face AJ following his next fight with Gervonta Davis, 30, which will take place on November 14 at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida.

He said: “Take a massive risk and a massive challenge and to go into a fight where no one thinks that I would even have the slightest chance of winning, that excites me.”

Hearn had previously said Joshua would not be interested in fighting Paul if he lost to Tank.

He said of The Problem Child: “If you get chinned by Gervonta Davis, don't think you're fighting Anthony Joshua, it's ridiculous. We'd rather they didn't take that fight if we're going to make the [AJ] fight.

“We're certainly not holding out for a Jake Paul fight. We're making our own plans and that will be January [or] February 2026.”