It looks like YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul might be stepping into the ring with former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua and not years from now, but as early as next year.

Joshua’s longtime promoter, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing, revealed the surprising development during an appearance on TMZ Sports, admitting he initially dismissed the idea as another Jake Paul publicity stunt.

“At first, I thought, ‘No chance, this is just Jake trying to make headlines.’ But every time I speak with his team, they genuinely believe he can beat AJ. Now, I think there’s a very good chance it happens next,” Hearn said.

Paul, 28, holds a 12-1 record with seven knockouts, but is significantly smaller than Joshua, the 35-year-old Olympic gold medallist who stands 6’6” and weighs around 260 pounds. Despite the hype, Hearn is confident the American has no real shot.

“This isn’t Jake Paul fighting Mike Tyson. This is Jake Paul fighting one of the most dangerous fighters in the sport, pound for pound,” he stated. “And he’ll get AJ at his absolute best. Good luck to him.”

Jake Paul, however, is undeterred. Hearn described the bout as “wildly dangerous” but admitted Paul truly believes he can pull off the upset.

Coming off his record-breaking exhibition with Tyson, which drew 108 million viewers globally, Paul may be eyeing another blockbuster. And Hearn believes Joshua vs Paul could be even bigger.

“It would be one of the biggest pay-per-view fights ever,” he said. “If Jake wants to be wiped out of boxing by AJ, we’re happy to make it happen.”