Without a Script, Anthony Joshua Will Rapidly Stop Paul Out - Hearn Asserts

I have no substantial justification regarding Anthony Joshua versus Jake Paul. It's insane the fact it's occurring and I believe the skeptics are right.

But, we just couldn't reject it. No fighter who is sensible would have declined. Anyone who says they would are completely lying through their teeth.

We took a bout that we believe will be very straightforward, will give AJ a massive presence in America and among the highest earnings.

The Strategy Behind the Fight

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

This was a chance to wrap the hands by his fresh training team, make the ringwalk and get some rounds in. Currently, we are doing that exact tune-up however for 50 times more money.

We possess an obvious strategy in mind - to stop Jake out as soon as possible. Then, we return to normal service resuming in 2026.

Joshua will box against a world-class fighter in February and - should things go to plan - he will then face Tyson Fury.

Therefore there's a method behind this craziness and taking this fight will not harm Joshua's legacy. But a loss against Jake or the fight even going the distance would.

It would be a complete catastrophe and awfully embarrassing.

Paul vs Joshua Is Not Pre-Arranged

A great many individuals have asked me questioning whether it's fixed. First of all, we would be investigated by authorities if that were true. It would be illegal. This constitutes a professional fight and a sanctioned bout on which people are betting.

And does anyone believe I would allow AJ to have a script with Jake Paul? A plan where we could lose or even hold him up? Absolutely not.

We are not providing this opponent an edge or an opportunity to say "told you I was better than AJ" or "I won rounds". This would be devastating for AJ and we're not going to risk that.

Public Pressure for an Quick Finish

Then there are those who say if Anthony Joshua does not stop him inside the first round then it is an embarrassment.

He's expected to dominate this opponent but, blimey, give him two to three rounds just in case. Since how Jake approaches it will reflect on the pace of the finish.

If he gets brave, it will end quickly. However if he fights defensively and attempting to tie him up and stick and move, then he may last a couple of rounds.

We're not going to see AJ charge across the ring in the first few seconds and begin swinging wildly.

Similar to his approach against Ngannou, he will go into the ring, size him up and then unleash with his power shots.

Paul Can Punch a Little Bit

I've heard the likes of Roy Jones and Atlas stating you can't count Jake in this bout. Am I really going crazy ? Is there something they see that I am missing?

Let's get one thing right - Jake Paul is a pro fighter. I believe he's a decent cruiserweight - top 60 or 70 in the world.

This is not an individual who has never laced a pair of gloves before. He is able to punch a little bit. He spars Okolie and top-10 big men.

Putting aside the victory against Mike Tyson, who was then well past his prime, Jake did beat Julio Cesar Chavez Jr - who might have been a done fighter but was hardly a complete mug.

He prepared for that bout and was a former world champion who went to points with Canelo Alvarez and nearly stopped Martinez late in the fight.

So I actually credit Jake for training hard and showing respect to the craft , and he has accomplished so much for women's boxing with his Most Valuable Promotions.

Yet in spite of his self-belief, passion, dedication and enhanced ability, he ought to be being knocked out by Anthony Joshua.

The Moment Joshua Connects, It's Over

Paul and his camp are hoping for a lot of factors. Banking on AJ is underestimating them, hoping AJ is past his best, banking on AJ's inactivity will be a factor, banking on AJ is low in self-belief, banking on AJ's durability isn't what it once was.

But, unfortunately for them, AJ is super switched on. He's had a training camp and he is preparing as if he's fighting Oleksandr Usyk or in a Daniel Dubois rematch.

I expect Anthony Joshua to win inside two rounds via a brutal KO.

He could hit Jake Paul to the body and he would break his ribs and he wouldn't be able to rise.

Should he land flush, he will put him spark out. Alternatively the referee.

It is unknown exactly how it will unfold but with the way AJ throws punches - with the speed and destruction - the instant a punch lands clean, the fight is over.

Then the focus returns to AJ's primary objectives he aims to accomplish in the time he has left in this sport - to face Tyson Fury and to become a three-time world heavyweight champion.