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

I have no substantial defense regarding Anthony Joshua versus Paul. It's insane that it's happening and I believe the skeptics are spot on.

However, we simply could not turn it down. No fighter in their right mind would have said no. Anybody claiming they'd refuse are completely lying outright.

We accepted a fight which we believe is very straightforward, will provide AJ a huge profile in the United States and one of the highest earnings.

The Strategy For This Bout

Anthony Joshua was set to have a run-out fight in November in Saudi - an eight-rounder versus an opponent ranked about 100th in the world heavyweight division.

It was a chance to get his hands wrapped with his fresh training team, do the ringwalk and get some rounds in. Currently, we are doing that exact tune-up however for about 50 times more money.

We have a clear strategy in mind - to knock Jake Paul out asap. After that, we go into regular business resuming in 2026.

AJ will fight versus a world-class opponent next February and - if all goes well - he will then face Tyson Fury.

Therefore there's a method to this madness and accepting this fight does not affect AJ's legacy. But losing to Paul or the fight even going the distance certainly would.

It would be a complete disaster and terribly humiliating.

Paul vs Joshua Is Definitely Not Scripted

So many individuals have asked me questioning if it's scripted. Firstly, we'd be investigated by the FBI if that were true. That would be illegal. This constitutes a professional contest and a sanctioned bout where people are betting.

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

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

Expectations for an Early Knockout

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

He's expected to dominate this opponent however, blimey, allow him two or three stanzas just in case. Since Jake's approach will reflect on the speed of the finish.

Should he come forward, it will all be over rapidly. But if he is boxing on the back foot and attempting to clinch and jab and move, then he may last a couple of rounds.

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

Just like he did against Francis Ngannou, he will step in there, measure him up and then unleash with his power shots.

Paul Can Whack a Little Bit

I've heard the likes of Roy Jones Jr and Teddy Atlas saying you can't count Jake in this bout. Am I really losing the plot ? Is there something they see that I am missing?

Let's get something right - Jake is a pro fighter. I think he's a decent cruiserweight - top 60 or 70 globally.

This isn't an individual that has not put on boxing gloves before. He is able to punch with some power. He's sparring Okolie and top-ten big men.

Putting aside the win over Tyson, who was then well past his prime, Jake did beat Chavez Jr - who may have been a faded fighter but was not a complete mug.

He trained for the fight and had been a world champion who went the distance against Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez and nearly stopped Martinez late in the fight.

So I give credit to Jake Paul for his hard work and demonstrating respect for the sport of boxing and he has done a great deal for female boxing with his promotion company.

But despite his delusion, passion, dedication and improved skills, he should be being knocked out by Anthony Joshua.

Once Joshua Connects, It's Over

Paul and his camp are banking on a lot of factors. Banking on AJ is underestimating them, banking on AJ is shot, banking on 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 extremely switched on. He's had a camp and he's training like he's fighting Usyk or in a potential Dubois second fight.

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

He could hit Jake to the midsection and it could break his ribs and he would be unable to get up.

If he hits him clean, 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 - 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 remainder of his career in boxing - to face Tyson Fury and to be crowned a three-time world heavyweight champion.