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

I've got no real justification for Anthony Joshua vs. Paul. It's crazy the fact it's happening and I feel the critics are correct.

However, we simply could not reject it. No fighter in their right mind would have said no. Anyone who says they'd refuse are completely lying outright.

We took a fight that we believe will be extremely easy, will give AJ an enormous presence in the United States and one of his career-high paydays.

The Strategy For the Fight

Anthony Joshua was set to have a run-out fight this November in Saudi - an eight-round contest versus an opponent ranked around 100th in the heavyweight rankings.

It was a chance to get his hands wrapped with his new training team, do the ringwalk and go through the motions. Now, we're doing that exact tune-up however for fifty times the money.

We possess a clear game plan planned - to knock Jake out as soon as possible. After that, we return to normal service being resumed in 2026.

AJ will fight versus a top-tier opponent in February and - should things go to plan - he will then face Tyson Fury.

Therefore there's a method behind this craziness and taking this bout does not affect AJ's legacy. But losing to Jake or the fight even going the full distance would.

That would be an absolute catastrophe and awfully embarrassing.

This Bout Is Not Pre-Arranged

So many people have come up to me asking whether it's fixed. First of all, we would be investigated by the FBI if it was. That would be against the law. This is a professional fight and an officially sanctioned match on which people are betting.

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

We are not giving this opponent an advantage or an opportunity to claim "told you I was better than AJ" or "I took rounds from him". That would be devastating for AJ and we're not going to risk that.

Public Pressure for a Quick Knockout

There are also those who say if AJ doesn't stop him inside the first round then it is a disgrace.

He's expected to dominate this opponent however, goodness, give him two or three rounds just in case. Since Jake's approach will determine the speed of the finish.

If he gets brave, it will end rapidly. However if he is boxing on the back foot and attempting to clinch and stick and move, then he might survive a few rounds.

We will not see AJ run across the ring in the first few seconds and begin swinging wildly.

Just like his approach against Francis Ngannou, he will step in there, size him up and then go in with his power shots.

Jake Paul Has the Ability to Whack a Little Bit

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

Let us be one thing clear - Jake Paul is a professional boxer. I believe he is a respectable cruiserweight - ranked in the top 70 globally.

This isn't a guy that has not laced a pair of gloves before. He can punch with some power. He spars Lawrence Okolie and top-10 big men.

Putting aside the victory against Tyson, who was well past his prime, Jake did beat Julio Cesar Chavez Jr - who may have been a done fighter but was not a complete mug.

Chavez Jr prepared for the fight and was a former world champion who went to points against Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez and came close to stopping Sergio Martinez in the final round.

Therefore I give credit to Jake Paul for training hard and showing respect for the sport , and he has accomplished a great deal for women's boxing through his promotion company.

Yet despite his delusion, zeal, commitment and enhanced ability, he ought to be getting iced by Joshua.

Once AJ Lands, It's Over

Paul and his camp are hoping for a lot of factors. Banking on AJ is underestimating them, banking on AJ is shot, hoping AJ's lack of activity will be a factor, hoping AJ lacks confidence, banking on AJ's chin has deteriorated.

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

I anticipate my fighter to win inside two rounds via a brutal KO.

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

If he hits him clean, he will knock him spark out. Alternatively could intervene.

It is unknown how it could play out however given how AJ punches - with his speed and power - as soon as Jake is hit clean, the contest will end.

Subsequently we go back to AJ's two goals he aims to accomplish in the remainder of his career in this sport - to face Tyson Fury and to become a three-time heavyweight champion of the world.