Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua are in real-deal negotiations to fight ... and AJ's longtime promoter, Eddie Hearn, says it could happen "early next year!"
The Matchroom Boxing boss -- who has worked alongside Joshua for over a decade -- joined Babcock on the "TMZ Sports" TV show (airs nightly on FS1) ... and Hearn left us shocked.
"I just thought to myself, this is Jake Paul creating headlines. He's not going to fight Anthony Joshua. And in every conversation I have with [Jake's partner] Nikisa and MVP, I'm like, 'Oh my God, they actually think they can beat him,'" Eddie said.