🔗 Share this article No Script, Anthony Joshua Will Swiftly Stop Paul Out - Promoter Hearn Claims I have no genuine justification regarding Anthony Joshua versus Jake Paul. It's crazy that it's taking place and I feel the critics are correct. But, we just couldn't reject it. No boxer in their right mind would have said no. Anyone who says they would are utterly dishonest outright. We took a fight which we believe will be very straightforward, will give AJ a huge profile in the United States and one of the highest paydays. The Strategy For the Fight Anthony Joshua was set to have a run-out fight this November in Saudi - an eight-rounder against an opponent who was ranked about 100th in the world heavyweight division. It was a chance to get his hands wrapped with his new training team, make the ringwalk and get some rounds in. Now, we're doing that same tune-up however for about 50 times more purse. We have a clear game plan in mind - to stop Jake out asap. Then, we return to regular business resuming next year. AJ will fight against a world-class opponent in February and - if all goes well - he will then face Tyson Fury. So there's a method behind this craziness and accepting this fight does not affect Joshua's legacy. But losing to Jake or it even going the distance certainly would. It would be a complete catastrophe and terribly humiliating. This Bout Is Not Pre-Arranged A great many people have asked me asking whether it's fixed. First of all, we'd be investigated by authorities if it was. It would be illegal. This is a professional fight and an officially sanctioned match where people are betting. And do you think I would ever allow AJ to follow a script involving Jake Paul? A script in which we might lose or even hold him up? No way. We are not giving this guy an edge or an opportunity to claim "I told you I was better than AJ" or "I took rounds from him". That would be catastrophic for Anthony Joshua and we will not risk that. Public Pressure for an Quick Knockout There are also those who say if AJ doesn't stop him in the first round then it is a disgrace. He's expected to walk through this guy but, blimey, allow him two or three rounds just in case. Since how Jake approaches it will determine the pace of the finish. If he gets brave, it will end quickly. However if he fights defensively and trying to tie him up and jab and move, then he might last a couple of rounds. We're not going to see AJ charge across the squared circle immediately and begin swinging wildly. Just like he did against Ngannou, he will step in there, size him up and then go in with the heavy artillery. Jake Paul Has the Ability to Whack Somewhat I've heard the likes of Roy Jones Jr and Atlas stating you can't count Jake Paul in this bout. Am I losing the plot here Is there something they see that I'm not? Let us be something clear - Jake Paul is a professional boxer. I think he is a respectable 200-pound fighter - top 60 or 70 in the world. This isn't a guy who has never put on boxing gloves before. He is able to whack a little bit. He spars Okolie and top-ten big men. Putting aside the win over Mike Tyson, who was an old man, Jake defeated Julio Cesar Chavez Jr - who might have been a done fighter but was hardly a total pushover. Chavez Jr trained for the fight and was a former world champion who went the distance against Canelo Alvarez and nearly stopped Martinez late in the fight. Therefore I actually credit Jake for training hard and showing respect for the sport , and he has done a great deal for women's boxing with his Most Valuable Promotions. But in spite of his self-belief, passion, dedication and enhanced ability, he ought to be being knocked out by Anthony Joshua. Once AJ Lands, It Is Finished Paul and his camp are hoping for many things. Hoping AJ is underestimating them, hoping AJ is past his best, hoping AJ's lack of activity will cost him, hoping AJ lacks confidence, banking on AJ's chin isn't what it once was. But, unfortunately for them, AJ is extremely switched on. He's had a training camp and he's training as if he is facing Usyk or in a potential Dubois rematch. I expect my fighter to win inside two rounds with a brutal KO. A shot to Jake to the body and he would break his rib cage and he wouldn't be able to rise. Should he land flush, he will knock him spark out. Alternatively the referee. We don't know how it could play out however with the way AJ throws punches - with the speed and power - as soon as Jake is hit on the chin, the contest will end. Subsequently we go back to AJ's two goals he aims to accomplish in the remainder he has left in this sport - to fight Tyson Fury and to be crowned a three-time world heavyweight champion.
I have no genuine justification regarding Anthony Joshua versus Jake Paul. It's crazy that it's taking place and I feel the critics are correct. But, we just couldn't reject it. No boxer in their right mind would have said no. Anyone who says they would are utterly dishonest outright. We took a fight which we believe will be very straightforward, will give AJ a huge profile in the United States and one of the highest paydays. The Strategy For the Fight Anthony Joshua was set to have a run-out fight this November in Saudi - an eight-rounder against an opponent who was ranked about 100th in the world heavyweight division. It was a chance to get his hands wrapped with his new training team, make the ringwalk and get some rounds in. Now, we're doing that same tune-up however for about 50 times more purse. We have a clear game plan in mind - to stop Jake out asap. Then, we return to regular business resuming next year. AJ will fight against a world-class opponent in February and - if all goes well - he will then face Tyson Fury. So there's a method behind this craziness and accepting this fight does not affect Joshua's legacy. But losing to Jake or it even going the distance certainly would. It would be a complete catastrophe and terribly humiliating. This Bout Is Not Pre-Arranged A great many people have asked me asking whether it's fixed. First of all, we'd be investigated by authorities if it was. It would be illegal. This is a professional fight and an officially sanctioned match where people are betting. And do you think I would ever allow AJ to follow a script involving Jake Paul? A script in which we might lose or even hold him up? No way. We are not giving this guy an edge or an opportunity to claim "I told you I was better than AJ" or "I took rounds from him". That would be catastrophic for Anthony Joshua and we will not risk that. Public Pressure for an Quick Knockout There are also those who say if AJ doesn't stop him in the first round then it is a disgrace. He's expected to walk through this guy but, blimey, allow him two or three rounds just in case. Since how Jake approaches it will determine the pace of the finish. If he gets brave, it will end quickly. However if he fights defensively and trying to tie him up and jab and move, then he might last a couple of rounds. We're not going to see AJ charge across the squared circle immediately and begin swinging wildly. Just like he did against Ngannou, he will step in there, size him up and then go in with the heavy artillery. Jake Paul Has the Ability to Whack Somewhat I've heard the likes of Roy Jones Jr and Atlas stating you can't count Jake Paul in this bout. Am I losing the plot here Is there something they see that I'm not? Let us be something clear - Jake Paul is a professional boxer. I think he is a respectable 200-pound fighter - top 60 or 70 in the world. This isn't a guy who has never put on boxing gloves before. He is able to whack a little bit. He spars Okolie and top-ten big men. Putting aside the win over Mike Tyson, who was an old man, Jake defeated Julio Cesar Chavez Jr - who might have been a done fighter but was hardly a total pushover. Chavez Jr trained for the fight and was a former world champion who went the distance against Canelo Alvarez and nearly stopped Martinez late in the fight. Therefore I actually credit Jake for training hard and showing respect for the sport , and he has done a great deal for women's boxing with his Most Valuable Promotions. But in spite of his self-belief, passion, dedication and enhanced ability, he ought to be being knocked out by Anthony Joshua. Once AJ Lands, It Is Finished Paul and his camp are hoping for many things. Hoping AJ is underestimating them, hoping AJ is past his best, hoping AJ's lack of activity will cost him, hoping AJ lacks confidence, banking on AJ's chin isn't what it once was. But, unfortunately for them, AJ is extremely switched on. He's had a training camp and he's training as if he is facing Usyk or in a potential Dubois rematch. I expect my fighter to win inside two rounds with a brutal KO. A shot to Jake to the body and he would break his rib cage and he wouldn't be able to rise. Should he land flush, he will knock him spark out. Alternatively the referee. We don't know how it could play out however with the way AJ throws punches - with the speed and power - as soon as Jake is hit on the chin, the contest will end. Subsequently we go back to AJ's two goals he aims to accomplish in the remainder he has left in this sport - to fight Tyson Fury and to be crowned a three-time world heavyweight champion.