Without a Script, Joshua Will Swiftly Stop Jake Paul Out - Promoter Hearn States

I have no genuine defense for AJ vs. Jake Paul. It's wild that it's happening and I believe the skeptics are spot on.

But, we simply could not turn it down. No boxer who is sensible would have declined. Anybody claiming they would are completely lying outright.

We took a bout that we believe will be very straightforward, will give AJ a massive presence in the United States and among his career-high paydays.

The Plan For This Bout

AJ was going to have a run-out fight this November in Saudi Arabia - an eight-rounder versus an opponent who was ranked about 100th in the heavyweight division.

This was an opportunity to get his hands wrapped with his new training team, make the ringwalk and get some rounds in. Now, we're doing that exact tune-up but for 50 times more purse.

We possess a clear strategy planned - to knock Jake out asap. Then, we return to normal service resuming in 2026.

Joshua will box against a top-tier opponent next February and - should things go to plan - he will then fight Fury.

So there is logic behind this craziness and accepting this bout will not harm Joshua's legacy. However losing to Paul or the fight even going the full distance certainly would.

That would be an absolute disaster and awfully humiliating.

Paul vs Joshua Is Definitely Not Pre-Arranged

A great many people have come up to me questioning if it's scripted. First of all, we would be investigated by authorities if it was. It would be against the law. This constitutes a professional fight and a sanctioned bout where fans are wagering.

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

We are certainly not providing this opponent an edge or an opportunity to say "I told you I am superior to AJ" or "I took rounds from him". That would be catastrophic for AJ and we're not going to risk that.

Public Pressure for an Early Knockout

Then there are those saying if AJ doesn't knock him out inside the first round then it is an embarrassment.

He is expected to dominate this guy however, blimey, allow him two or three stanzas for safety. Because how Jake approaches it will determine the speed of the finish.

If he gets brave, it will end rapidly. But if he is boxing on the back foot and trying to tie him up and jab and move, then he may survive a couple of rounds.

We're not going to see AJ charge across the ring immediately and start windmilling.

Just like he did against Ngannou, he will go into the ring, size him up and then go in with his power shots.

Paul Can Punch Somewhat

I have heard the likes of Roy Jones and Teddy Atlas stating you can't count Jake out in this fight. Am I going crazy here Is there something they're seeing that I'm not?

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

This isn't a guy who has never put on boxing gloves before. He can punch with some power. He's sparring Okolie and top-10 big men.

Forgetting the victory against Mike Tyson, who was then an old man, Jake did beat Julio Cesar Chavez Jr - who might have been a faded fighter but was hardly a complete mug.

Chavez Jr trained for the fight and had been a titleholder who went to points against Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez and came close to stopping Martinez in the final round.

So I give credit to Jake Paul for training hard and demonstrating respect for the sport , and he has done a great deal for women's boxing with his promotion company.

But despite his self-belief, zeal, commitment and improved skills, he ought to be being knocked out by Anthony Joshua.

Once AJ Lands, It's Over

Jake and his team are hoping for a lot of factors. Banking on AJ underestimates him, hoping AJ is past his best, hoping AJ's inactivity will cost him, banking on AJ lacks confidence, banking on AJ's durability has deteriorated.

However, to their misfortune, AJ is extremely switched on. He has completed a training camp and he's training as if he is facing Usyk or in a Daniel Dubois second fight.

I expect my fighter to win inside two rounds via a devastating KO.

He could hit Jake to the midsection and he would break his rib cage and he wouldn't be able to get up.

If he hits him clean, he will knock him spark out. Alternatively the referee.

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

Then the focus returns to AJ's primary objectives he wants to achieve in the time he has left in this sport - to face Fury and to be crowned a three-time world heavyweight champion.