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

I've got no substantial justification for Anthony Joshua versus Jake Paul. It's wild the fact it's occurring and I feel the naysayers are spot on.

However, we just couldn't turn it down. No boxer in their right mind would have said no. Anyone who says they would is completely lying through their teeth.

We accepted a fight which we believe will be extremely easy, will give AJ an enormous profile in the United States and among the highest earnings.

The Strategy Behind the Fight

Anthony Joshua was set to have a tune-up bout in November in Saudi Arabia - an eight-rounder versus a guy ranked about 100th in the world heavyweight division.

It was a chance to get his hands wrapped by his new training team, make the ringwalk and get some rounds in. Currently, we are doing that same tune-up but for about 50 times more purse.

We possess a clear strategy planned - to stop Jake Paul out asap. After that, we return to normal service being resumed in 2026.

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

Therefore there is logic behind this craziness and accepting this fight does not affect AJ's legacy. But a loss against Paul or it even going the distance would.

It would be an absolute catastrophe and terribly embarrassing.

Paul vs Joshua Is Definitely Not Pre-Arranged

So many individuals have asked me questioning whether it's fixed. Firstly, we'd be investigated by authorities if it was. That would be against the law. This constitutes a professional fight and an officially sanctioned match on which fans are wagering.

And do you think I would allow AJ to follow a pre-written plan with Jake? A plan where we could lose or even make him look bad? No way.

We are not providing this guy an edge or a chance to claim "told you I am superior to AJ" or "I won rounds". This would be devastating for AJ and we will not risk that.

Expectations for an Quick Knockout

There are also those saying if Anthony Joshua does not stop him in the first round then it's a disgrace.

He's expected to dominate this guy but, goodness, allow him two or three stanzas for safety. Since Jake's approach will determine the pace of the finish.

Should he come forward, it will all be over rapidly. However if he is boxing on the back foot and trying to clinch and jab and move, then he might survive a few rounds.

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

Similar to his approach against Ngannou, he will go in there, size him up and then go in with the heavy artillery.

Jake Paul Has the Ability to Punch a Little Bit

I've heard the likes of Roy Jones and Atlas saying you cannot dismiss Jake in this bout. Am I really losing the plot ? Is there anything they see that I am missing?

Let's get one thing right - Jake is a professional boxer. I believe he's a decent 200-pound fighter - top 60 or 70 globally.

This is not a guy who has never laced a pair of gloves previously. He is able to whack with some power. He spars Okolie and top-ten heavyweights.

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

He trained for the fight and had been a titleholder who went the distance with Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez and came close to stopping Sergio Martinez in the final round.

So I actually credit Jake for training hard and demonstrating respect to the craft , and he has accomplished so much for female boxing through his Most Valuable Promotions.

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

Once Joshua Connects, It's Over

Paul and his camp are banking on many things. Banking on AJ is underestimating them, hoping AJ is past his best, hoping AJ's inactivity will cost him, hoping AJ lacks confidence, banking on AJ's chin isn't what it once was.

However, unfortunately for them, AJ is super focused. He has completed a camp and he is preparing as if he's fighting Oleksandr Usyk or in a potential Dubois second fight.

I anticipate my fighter to triumph inside two rounds via a devastating knockout.

A shot to Jake to the midsection and he would break his rib cage and he would be unable to get up.

Should he land flush, he will knock him to sleep. Alternatively the referee.

We don't know how it could play out but with the way AJ punches - with the speed and destruction - as soon as Jake is hit clean, the fight is over.

Subsequently we go back to AJ's two goals he wants to achieve in the time he has left in this sport - to fight Fury and to become a three-time heavyweight champion of the world.