No Script, Anthony Joshua Will Quickly Knock Jake Paul Out - Promoter Hearn Asserts

I've got no genuine defence regarding AJ versus Jake Paul. It's insane the fact it's taking place and I think the naysayers are right.

However, we just couldn't turn it down. No boxer who is sensible would have said no. Anybody claiming they would are utterly dishonest outright.

We accepted a bout which we believe will be quite simple, will provide AJ a massive presence in America and one of his career-high paydays.

The Plan Behind the Fight

AJ was going to have a tune-up bout in November in Saudi - an eight-round contest against a guy ranked around 100th in the heavyweight rankings.

It was a chance to get his hands wrapped with his fresh coaching staff, make the ringwalk and go through the motions. Currently, we are doing that exact tune-up but for about fifty times the purse.

We possess an obvious strategy planned - to knock Jake Paul out as soon as possible. Then, we go into normal service resuming in 2026.

Joshua will box versus a top-tier opponent in February and - if all goes well - he will then fight Tyson Fury.

Therefore there's a method to this madness and accepting this bout does not affect Joshua's legacy. However a loss against Paul or it even going the distance certainly would.

That would be a complete catastrophe and awfully humiliating.

Paul vs Joshua Is Not Scripted

So many people have come up to me asking if it's scripted. Firstly, we would be investigated by authorities if that were true. That would be against the law. This is a professional fight and an officially sanctioned match where fans are wagering.

And does anyone believe I would permit AJ to follow a pre-written plan with Jake? A script where we could lose or even hold him up? Absolutely not.

We are certainly not providing this opponent an edge or a chance to say "told you I was better than AJ" or "I won rounds". That would be catastrophic for Anthony Joshua and we're not going to risk that.

Public Pressure for an Quick Knockout

Then there are those who say if AJ doesn't stop him in the first round then it is a disgrace.

He's expected to dominate this opponent but, blimey, allow him two to three rounds for safety. Because Jake's approach will determine the speed of the finish.

If he gets brave, it will all be over quickly. However if he fights defensively and attempting to clinch and stick and move, then he might last a couple of rounds.

We're not going to see AJ run across the squared circle immediately and begin swinging wildly.

Similar to his approach against Francis Ngannou, he will step in there, measure him up and then go in with his power shots.

Jake Paul Has the Ability to Whack Somewhat

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

Let's get one thing right - Jake is a pro fighter. I believe he's a decent cruiserweight - ranked in the top 70 globally.

This is not an individual that has not laced a pair of gloves previously. He can punch a little bit. He's sparring Lawrence Okolie and top-10 heavyweights.

Forgetting the win over Tyson, who was then well past his prime, Jake defeated Julio Cesar Chavez Jr - who might have been a done fighter but was not a total pushover.

Chavez Jr trained for the fight and was a former world champion who went to points against Canelo Alvarez and nearly stopped Sergio Martinez late in the fight.

So I give credit to Jake Paul for training hard and showing respect for the sport , and he has done so much for female boxing through his Most Valuable Promotions.

But in spite of his delusion, zeal, commitment and improved skills, he should be getting iced by Anthony Joshua.

The Moment AJ Lands, It's Over

Paul and his camp are banking on a lot of things. Hoping AJ is underestimating him, banking on AJ is past his best, hoping AJ's lack of activity will be a factor, hoping AJ lacks confidence, banking on AJ's durability isn't what it once was.

But, to their misfortune, AJ is super switched on. He's had a training camp and he's training like he's fighting Oleksandr Usyk or in a Daniel Dubois rematch.

I expect Anthony Joshua to win inside two rounds with a brutal knockout.

A shot to Jake Paul to the body and it could break his ribs and he would be unable to get up.

Should he land flush, he will knock him to sleep. Alternatively could intervene.

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

Subsequently we go back to AJ's primary objectives he aims to accomplish in the remainder of his career in this sport - to fight Tyson Fury and to be crowned a three-time heavyweight champion of the world.