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

I've got no genuine justification regarding AJ vs. Jake Paul. It's insane the fact it's occurring and I feel the skeptics are right.

However, we simply could not turn it down. No fighter who is sensible would have declined. Anyone who says they'd refuse is completely lying through their teeth.

We accepted a bout which we think will be quite simple, will give AJ a huge profile in the United States and among his career-high paydays.

The Plan Behind the Fight

AJ was going to have a run-out fight in November in Saudi - an eight-round contest versus a guy who was ranked about 100th in the world heavyweight division.

It was a chance to get his hands wrapped by his new coaching staff, do the ringwalk and get some rounds in. Currently, we are doing that exact tune-up but for fifty times the purse.

We possess an obvious game plan in mind - to knock Jake Paul out asap. Then, we go into normal service being resumed in 2026.

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

Therefore there is logic behind this craziness and accepting this bout does not affect Joshua's legacy. But a loss against Jake or the fight even going the full distance certainly would.

It would be an absolute disaster and awfully humiliating.

Paul vs Joshua Is Not Pre-Arranged

A great many individuals have come up to me asking if it's scripted. First of all, we would be investigated by the FBI if that were true. It would be against the law. This is a professional fight and a sanctioned bout on which fans are wagering.

And do you think I would permit AJ to have a script with Jake? A script in which we could lose or even make him look bad? No way.

We are certainly not providing this opponent an edge or an opportunity to claim "I told you I was better than AJ" or "I took rounds from him". This would be catastrophic for AJ and we're not going to risk that.

Expectations for an Early Knockout

Then there are those saying if Anthony Joshua does not stop him inside the first round then it's a disgrace.

He is expected to walk through this opponent but, goodness, allow him two to three rounds just in case. Because how Jake approaches it will reflect on the speed of destruction.

Should he come forward, it will all be over quickly. However if he fights defensively and attempting to clinch and stick and move, then he may survive a couple of rounds.

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

Similar to his approach against Ngannou, he will go into the ring, measure him up and then go in with the heavy artillery.

Paul Can Punch a Little Bit

I've heard figures like Roy Jones Jr and Teddy Atlas stating you can't count Jake in this bout. Am I really going crazy here Is there anything they're seeing that I am missing?

Let us be something clear - Jake Paul is a pro fighter. I think he is a respectable 200-pound fighter - top 60 or 70 in the world.

This isn't an individual that has not put on boxing gloves previously. He can whack with some power. He's sparring Okolie and top-ten 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 faded fighter but was hardly a total pushover.

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

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

But in spite of his delusion, passion, commitment and enhanced ability, he ought to be being knocked out by Joshua.

Once AJ Lands, It Is Finished

Paul and his camp are banking on a lot of things. Banking on AJ is underestimating him, banking on AJ is past his best, hoping AJ's lack of activity will be a factor, banking on AJ is low in confidence, banking on AJ's chin isn't what it once was.

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

I expect Anthony Joshua to triumph within two rounds via a brutal knockout.

He could hit Jake Paul to the midsection and it could break his rib cage and he would be unable to rise.

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

It is unknown how it could play out but with the way AJ throws punches - with his speed and power - the instant Jake is hit on the chin, the contest will end.

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