Without a Script, Joshua Will Quickly Stop Jake Paul Out - Hearn Claims

I've got no substantial justification for Anthony Joshua vs. Paul. It's crazy the fact it's occurring and I feel the naysayers are correct.

However, we just couldn't turn it down. No fighter who is sensible would have said no. Anyone who says they'd refuse are completely lying outright.

We accepted a fight that we think is very straightforward, will give AJ an enormous profile in the United States and among the highest earnings.

The Plan Behind the Fight

Anthony Joshua was set to have a tune-up bout this November in Saudi - an eight-round contest against an opponent ranked about 100th in the world heavyweight rankings.

This was a chance to get his hands wrapped by his fresh training team, make the ringwalk and get some rounds in. Now, we are doing that same run-out but for about fifty times the purse.

We possess an obvious game plan planned - to knock Jake Paul out as soon as possible. Then, we go into regular business resuming in 2026.

AJ will fight versus a world-class opponent next February and - should things go to plan - he will then face Fury.

So there is logic behind this craziness and taking this bout does not affect Joshua's legacy. But a loss against Jake or it even going the full distance would.

That would be a complete disaster and awfully embarrassing.

This Bout Is Not Pre-Arranged

A great many individuals have come up to me questioning whether it's fixed. Firstly, we would be investigated by the FBI if it was. That would be against the law. This constitutes a professional contest and a sanctioned bout on which people are betting.

And does anyone believe I would permit AJ to have a pre-written plan involving Jake Paul? A script in which we might lose or even make him look bad? Absolutely not.

We are not giving this opponent an edge or a chance to claim "told you I was better than AJ" or "I took rounds from him". That would be catastrophic for AJ and we will not risk that.

Expectations for a Quick Finish

Then there are those saying if Anthony Joshua does not knock him out inside the first round then it's an embarrassment.

He's expected to walk through this guy however, blimey, allow him two to three stanzas just in case. Since how Jake approaches it will determine the speed of the finish.

If he gets brave, it will end rapidly. But if he fights defensively and attempting to tie him up and jab and move, then he may last a few rounds.

We're not going to see AJ charge across the squared circle in the first few seconds and start windmilling.

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

Paul Can Punch a Little Bit

I have heard the likes of Roy Jones Jr and Atlas stating you cannot dismiss Jake Paul out in this fight. Am I going crazy here Is there something they see that I'm not?

Let us be one thing right - Jake is a pro fighter. I think he is a respectable 200-pound fighter - ranked in the top 70 globally.

This is not a guy that has not put on boxing gloves before. He can punch with some power. He spars Okolie and top-ten heavyweights.

Forgetting the victory against Tyson, who was then an old man, Jake did beat Chavez Jr - who may have been a done fighter but was hardly a complete mug.

He trained for that bout and had been a world champion who went to points against Canelo Alvarez and nearly stopped Sergio Martinez in the final round.

Therefore I give credit to Jake for his hard work and demonstrating respect for the sport of boxing and he has accomplished a great deal for female boxing with his Most Valuable Promotions.

Yet in spite of his self-belief, zeal, commitment and improved skills, he should be being knocked out by Joshua.

The Moment Joshua Connects, It Is Finished

Jake and his team are hoping for a lot of factors. Hoping AJ underestimates them, banking on AJ is shot, banking on AJ's inactivity will cost him, banking on AJ lacks confidence, banking on AJ's durability isn't what it once was.

However, unfortunately for them, AJ is super focused. He's had a camp and he is preparing as if he's fighting Oleksandr Usyk or in a Dubois rematch.

I expect my fighter to win inside two rounds with a brutal KO.

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

If he hits him clean, he will knock him to sleep. Or the referee.

We don't know exactly how it will unfold however with the way AJ throws punches - with the speed and destruction - the instant a punch lands on the chin, the contest will end.

Then the focus returns to AJ's two goals he aims to accomplish in the time of his career in this sport - to fight Fury and to become a three-time world heavyweight champion.