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

I have no genuine defence for Anthony Joshua vs. Jake Paul. It's insane the fact it's occurring and I feel the skeptics are spot on.

However, we simply could not refuse it. No boxer in their right mind would have declined. Anyone who says they would are completely lying outright.

We accepted a bout that we think is quite simple, will give AJ a huge profile in America and one of his career-high paydays.

The Strategy Behind the Fight

Anthony Joshua was set to have a run-out fight in November in Saudi Arabia - an eight-rounder against a guy who was ranked around 100th in the world heavyweight rankings.

This was a chance to wrap the hands with his new coaching staff, do the ringwalk and get some rounds in. Now, we are doing that exact run-out but for 50 times more purse.

We possess an obvious game plan planned - to stop Jake Paul out as soon as possible. Then, we go into regular business resuming in 2026.

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

So there's a method behind this craziness and accepting this bout does not affect AJ's legacy. But losing to Jake or it even going the distance certainly would.

It would be a complete catastrophe and terribly humiliating.

This Bout Is Definitely Not Pre-Arranged

A great many individuals have asked me questioning 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 an officially sanctioned match on which fans are wagering.

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

We are certainly not giving this guy an edge or an opportunity to claim "told you I am superior to AJ" or "I won rounds". This would be catastrophic for AJ and we're not going to take that risk.

Public Pressure for a Quick Finish

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

He's expected to dominate this guy but, goodness, give him two or three rounds for safety. Because Jake's approach will reflect on the pace of the finish.

Should he come forward, it will end rapidly. However if he is boxing defensively and trying 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 start windmilling.

Similar to he did against Francis Ngannou, he will step into the ring, measure him up and then unleash with the heavy artillery.

Jake Paul Has the Ability to Punch a Little Bit

I've heard figures like Roy Jones and Teddy Atlas saying you can't count Jake Paul out in this fight. Am I losing the plot here Is there anything 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 - top 60 or 70 globally.

This is not a guy that has not laced a pair of gloves previously. He can punch a little bit. He spars Lawrence Okolie and top-ten heavyweights.

Forgetting the win over Mike Tyson, who was an old man, Jake defeated Julio Cesar Chavez Jr - who might have been a faded fighter but was hardly a complete mug.

He prepared for that bout and was a former world champion who went the distance with Canelo Alvarez and nearly stopped Martinez in the final round.

Therefore I give credit to Jake for training hard and showing respect to the craft of boxing and he has accomplished a great deal for women's boxing with his Most Valuable Promotions.

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

The Moment Joshua Connects, It's Over

Jake and his team are banking on many factors. Banking on AJ is underestimating them, banking on AJ is shot, hoping AJ's inactivity will be a factor, banking on AJ is low in self-belief, banking on AJ's durability isn't what it once was.

But, unfortunately for them, AJ is extremely focused. He has completed a training camp and he is preparing like he's fighting Usyk or in a potential Dubois second fight.

I anticipate Anthony Joshua to triumph inside two rounds via a devastating knockout.

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

If he hits him clean, he will put him to sleep. Alternatively could intervene.

We don't know how it could play out but given how AJ punches - with the speed and destruction - the instant Jake is hit clean, the fight is over.

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