Jake Paul 'almost too good to be true' for Anthony Joshua as heavyweight champion mulls challenge

Anthony Joshua's deal to fight Jake Paul is "almost too good to be true," with Fabio Wardley admitting he understands the appeal for the star.

The former two-time heavyweight champion heads to Miami for his first bout in more than a year against 'The Problem Child' on December 19.

Pundits and powerbrokers have raised plenty of questions over the bout, with Joshua expected to make short work of a relative novice in the ring.

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That has earned criticism from several corners, but Wardley - freshly elevated to the WBO title himself - understands exactly why the Briton took a fight.

"For AJ, someone like Jake Paul, it's almost too good to be true, so why would you say no?" he told Sky Sports News.

"From the professional and athlete standpoint, you always want to pit yourself against the best and stay at the top of the sport.

"But I understand it very much from the monetary standpoint. When a pot of money is put in front of you like that, I think 99 per cent of people [say yes].

Wardley is considering his options now for a first defence of his title after Oleksandr Usyk's decision to vacate the full belt saw him crowned champion.

The Ipswich star is ready to take on any opponent, but admits he would enjoy the chance to face Joshua, who has made no secret of his desire for another title.

"I'm open to all opportunities, all comers, all fighters," he added. "One thing through my career is the mantra of never shying away or backing down.

"[I'm] always taking on the biggest next fight, and if that would be [Joshua] then it would be a pleasure to do so."

Could Joshua be ideal foe for Wardley to validate credentials?

DAZN News correspondent Andrew Steel

This isn't the first time Anthony Joshua would have been in the mix for a young British star seeking to rubber-stamp his new-fangled belt - and we all know how that went.

But the allure of another title shot might be something too hard for the star to turn down. The London 2012 favourite has only a few years left at the summit of the sport.

Once, the question would have been whether he wanted titles or paydays. His run after those Oleksandr Usyk defeats suggested the former was what he saw as legacy.

The bout with Paul, on the other hand, will offer him an eyewatering payday - and if that is banked, then arguably Joshua has a clear run to chase those big belts again.

For Wardley, there are few opponents in world boxing who would quite match the calibre and recognition if he was to succeed. He only needs to look at Daniel Dubois.

Whether Joshua finds his way may well depend on Tyson Fury's return to the ring of course - and Wardley still has the looming spectre of Moses Itauma over his shoulder too.

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