Without a Script, Joshua Will Swiftly Stop Jake Paul Out - Promoter Hearn Asserts

I have no genuine justification for Anthony Joshua vs. Jake Paul. It's crazy that it's taking place and I feel the naysayers are right.

However, we just couldn't reject it. No fighter who is sensible would have declined. Anybody claiming they would is completely lying through their teeth.

We took a bout that we believe is quite simple, will give AJ an enormous presence in the United States and among his career-high paydays.

The Plan For the Fight

AJ was going to have a tune-up bout in November in Saudi Arabia - an eight-round contest versus an opponent ranked around 100th in the heavyweight division.

It was an opportunity to get his hands wrapped with his new training team, do the ringwalk and go through the motions. Now, we are doing that exact tune-up however for fifty times the money.

We have an obvious strategy in mind - to stop Jake out asap. After that, we go into normal service being resumed in 2026.

Joshua will box against a top-tier opponent in February and - should things go to plan - he will then fight Tyson Fury.

Therefore there is logic to this madness and accepting this bout will not harm AJ's legacy. However losing to Paul or it even going the full distance would.

It would be a complete disaster and terribly humiliating.

Paul vs Joshua Is Not Scripted

So many people have asked me questioning if it's scripted. First of all, we'd be investigated by authorities if it was. That would be illegal. This constitutes a professional fight and an officially sanctioned match on which fans are wagering.

And do you think I would ever permit AJ to follow a pre-written plan with Jake? A script where we might lose or even hold him up? No way.

We are not providing this guy an edge or an opportunity to say "told you I am superior to AJ" or "I took rounds from him". That would be catastrophic for AJ and we will not risk that.

Public Pressure for a Early Finish

Then there are those saying if Anthony Joshua does not knock him out in the first round then it's a disgrace.

He's expected to walk through this opponent but, goodness, give him two to three stanzas for safety. Since Jake's approach will determine the pace of destruction.

If he gets brave, it will end quickly. However if he is boxing on the back foot and trying to tie him up and jab and move, then he may last a few rounds.

We will not see AJ run across the ring in the first few seconds and start windmilling.

Just like his approach against Ngannou, he will go into the ring, size him up and then go in with his power shots.

Paul Can Whack Somewhat

I've heard the likes of Roy Jones and Teddy Atlas saying you cannot dismiss Jake in this bout. Am I losing the plot here Is there something they see that I'm not?

Let's get one thing clear - Jake is a pro fighter. I think he is a respectable 200-pound fighter - ranked in the top 70 in the world.

This isn't an individual that has not laced a pair of gloves previously. He is able to whack with some power. He spars Lawrence Okolie and top-ten big men.

Forgetting the win over Mike Tyson, who was an old man, Jake defeated Chavez Jr - who may have been a faded fighter but was hardly a total pushover.

He prepared for the fight and had been a world champion who went to points with Canelo Alvarez and came close to stopping Sergio Martinez late in the fight.

So I actually credit Jake for training hard and demonstrating respect to the craft , and he has done so much for women's boxing through his promotion company.

But in spite of his delusion, zeal, commitment and enhanced ability, he ought to be being knocked out by Joshua.

The Moment Joshua Connects, It's Over

Paul and his camp are banking on many factors. Banking on AJ underestimates him, banking on AJ is shot, banking on AJ's lack of activity will be a factor, banking on AJ lacks confidence, banking on AJ's chin isn't what it once was.

However, to their misfortune, AJ is extremely switched on. He has completed a training camp and he is preparing as if he's fighting Oleksandr Usyk or in a Daniel Dubois second fight.

I anticipate Anthony Joshua to triumph within two rounds with a brutal knockout.

A shot to Jake Paul to the body and it could break his ribs and he wouldn't be able to get up.

If he hits him clean, he will put him spark out. Or could intervene.

We don't know how it could play out however with the way AJ punches - with his speed and destruction - the instant Jake is hit on the chin, the fight is over.

Subsequently we go back to AJ's primary objectives he wants to achieve in the time of his career in this sport - to fight Fury and to become a three-time world heavyweight champion.