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

I've got no genuine justification for Anthony Joshua versus Jake Paul. It's crazy that it's taking place and I feel the naysayers are spot on.

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

We took a bout which we believe is extremely easy, will give AJ a massive profile in America and among his career-high paydays.

The Strategy Behind This Bout

AJ was going to have a run-out fight in November in Saudi Arabia - an eight-rounder against a guy ranked about 100th in the world heavyweight division.

It was an opportunity to get his hands wrapped with 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 an obvious game plan in mind - to knock Jake out asap. Then, we return to normal service resuming in 2026.

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

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

It would be a complete disaster and terribly embarrassing.

This Bout Is Definitely Not Scripted

A great many individuals have asked me asking if it's scripted. First of all, we'd be investigated by authorities if that were true. That would be illegal. This is a professional contest and an officially sanctioned match where people are betting.

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

We are certainly not giving this opponent an advantage or an opportunity to say "I told you I am superior to AJ" or "I won rounds". This would be devastating for Anthony Joshua and we will not take that risk.

Expectations for a Early Knockout

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

He is expected to walk through this guy however, blimey, allow him two to three stanzas just in case. Since how Jake approaches it will reflect on the speed of the finish.

Should he come forward, it will all be over quickly. But if he is boxing defensively and trying to tie him up and jab and move, then he might last a few rounds.

We're not going to see AJ run across the squared circle immediately and start windmilling.

Just like his approach against Francis Ngannou, he will step in there, size him up and then unleash with the heavy artillery.

Paul Can Punch Somewhat

I have heard the likes of Roy Jones Jr and Atlas saying you cannot dismiss Jake out in this fight. Am I really going crazy ? Is there anything they're seeing that I'm not?

Let us be something right - Jake is a pro fighter. I think he's a decent cruiserweight - ranked in the top 70 globally.

This isn't a guy who has never laced a pair of gloves before. He is able to punch a little bit. He spars Okolie and top-10 big men.

Forgetting the win over Mike Tyson, who was well past his prime, Jake defeated Julio Cesar Chavez Jr - who might have been a faded fighter but was hardly a complete mug.

Chavez Jr prepared for the fight and was a former world champion who went the distance with Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez and nearly stopped Martinez late in the fight.

Therefore I give credit to Jake for his hard work and demonstrating respect to the craft , and he has accomplished so much for women's boxing through his promotion company.

But in spite of his self-belief, passion, dedication and enhanced ability, he ought to be getting iced by Joshua.

Once Joshua Connects, It Is Finished

Jake and his team are hoping for a lot of things. Hoping AJ is underestimating them, banking on AJ is past his best, hoping AJ's lack of activity will cost him, hoping AJ is low in self-belief, hoping AJ's chin isn't what it once was.

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

I expect Anthony Joshua to triumph inside two rounds with a devastating KO.

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

Should he land flush, he will put him spark out. Or could intervene.

It is unknown exactly how it will unfold but given how AJ punches - with his speed and power - the instant a punch lands clean, the fight is over.

Then we go back to AJ's primary objectives he wants to achieve in the remainder of his career in boxing - to face Fury and to be crowned a three-time heavyweight champion of the world.