No Script, Anthony Joshua Will Swiftly Stop Jake Paul Out - Hearn Claims

I've got no genuine defense for AJ vs. Jake Paul. It's crazy the fact it's happening and I think the skeptics are spot on.

But, we simply could not turn it down. No boxer who is sensible would have declined. Anyone who says they would are utterly dishonest outright.

We took a bout which we believe will be extremely easy, will provide AJ a huge presence in the United States and among his career-high paydays.

The Strategy For the Fight

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

This was a chance to wrap the hands by his fresh training team, do the ringwalk and get some rounds in. Now, we're doing that same run-out however for 50 times more purse.

We have an obvious game plan in mind - to stop Jake out as soon as possible. After that, we go into normal service resuming next year.

AJ will fight against a top-tier opponent next February and - if all goes well - he will then fight Tyson Fury.

So there is logic to this madness and taking this bout will not harm Joshua's legacy. However losing to Paul or it even going the full distance certainly would.

It would be an absolute catastrophe and terribly humiliating.

Paul vs Joshua Is Definitely Not Pre-Arranged

So many individuals have asked me asking whether it's fixed. Firstly, we'd be investigated by authorities 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 does anyone believe I would allow AJ to follow a pre-written plan with Jake Paul? A script in which we might lose or even make him look bad? Absolutely not.

We are certainly not providing this opponent an edge or a chance to say "I told you I was better than AJ" or "I won rounds". That would be devastating for Anthony Joshua and we're not going to risk that.

Public Pressure for a Early Finish

There are also those who say if Anthony Joshua does not stop him in the first round then it's a disgrace.

He's expected to walk through this guy however, goodness, allow him two to three rounds just in case. Since Jake's approach will determine the speed of the finish.

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

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

Similar to he did against Ngannou, he will go into the ring, size him up and then unleash with his power shots.

Paul Can Punch a Little Bit

I've heard the likes of Roy Jones and Atlas saying you can't count Jake Paul in this bout. Am I really going crazy here Is there something they're seeing that I'm not?

Let's get something right - Jake Paul is a professional boxer. I think he is a respectable cruiserweight - top 60 or 70 in the world.

This is not an individual who has never laced a pair of gloves before. He is able to punch a little bit. He spars Lawrence Okolie and top-ten big men.

Forgetting the win over Mike 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 trained for that bout and had been a world champion who went to points against Canelo Alvarez and came close to stopping Sergio Martinez late in the fight.

So I give credit to Jake for his hard work and demonstrating respect to the craft , and he has done so much for female boxing through his promotion company.

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

Once Joshua Connects, It's Over

Jake and his team are banking on a lot of things. Hoping AJ underestimates them, hoping AJ is past his best, hoping AJ's inactivity will be a factor, banking on AJ lacks confidence, banking on AJ's chin isn't what it once was.

However, unfortunately for them, AJ is super focused. He's had a training camp and he's training like he is facing Oleksandr Usyk or in a potential Dubois second fight.

I anticipate my fighter to triumph within two rounds via a brutal KO.

A shot to Jake to the midsection and he would break his ribs and he would be unable to rise.

Should he land flush, he will put him spark out. Alternatively the referee.

It is unknown exactly how it will unfold however given how AJ punches - with the speed and destruction - the instant a punch lands on the chin, the contest will end.

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