Jake Paul has disclosed that he and Anthony Joshua are engaged in private social media exchanges, with the YouTube star-turned-boxer sending the British heavyweight clips of him being knocked out.

The 28-year-old American revealed the nature of their direct messages during recent comments about their ongoing "s*** talking" behind the scenes.

"He DMd me today like saying 'LOL' to one of my training clips and then I sent him a 'LOL' of him getting knocked out," Paul said.

The revelation comes months after Paul audaciously called out the two-time heavyweight champion on his podcast, vowing to knock Joshua out.

Boxing news: Jake Paul has disclosed that he and Anthony Joshua are engaged in private social media exchanges, with the YouTube star-turned-boxer sending the British heavyweight clips of him being knocked out

Their exchanges follow a phone conversation earlier this year where Paul suggested a potential fight date in 2026.

Despite the competitive nature of their messages, the American expressed admiration for the British boxer.

"I guess like we're kind of s*** talking, behind the scenes a bit. But I have a lot of love for Anthony Joshua," he stated.

"I think this type of stuff is funny and he's a great guy and I think just a fight between us would be awesome and I do believe I can win."

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Joshua, 35, has not competed since suffering a knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois at Wembley in September. The former champion underwent elbow surgery in May.

Promoter Eddie Hearn has indicated that Joshua aims to return to the ring before the end of the year.

Paul is preparing for his next bout against former middleweight world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr on 28 June, which will be broadcast on DAZN pay-per-view.

The fight marks Paul's return to cruiserweight after his heavyweight venture against Mike Tyson in November, where he secured an eight-round points victory watched by over 100 million viewers on Netflix.

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Paul admitted the heavyweight experience was "brutal" after gaining two stone for the Tyson fight.

"It was just too much and my body wasn't made for it and even when I got into the ring I just felt too fat," he said.

He will drop from 16st 2lb to the cruiserweight limit of 14st 4lb for the California bout.

Paul revealed he is in negotiations with current cruiserweight champions Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez, 33, and Badou Jack, 41, for potential future fights.

The American also mentioned that Gervonta Davis, 30, has been lined up for an exhibition bout, as he joked about being boxing's most sought-after opponent.

"I'm like like Megan Fox from Transformers movie like everyone wants me!" Paul quipped.

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"I got Canelo, Gervonta, Anthony Joshua, Badou, Zurdo, Tommy Fury, KSI, the list keeps on going."

The Chavez fight materialised after Canelo Alvarez withdrew from a planned bout with Paul on 3 May in Las Vegas, opting instead to sign with Saudi Arabia's Turki Alalshikh.