🔗 Share this article Without a Script, Joshua Will Rapidly Stop Paul Out - Promoter Hearn Asserts I've got no real defense for AJ versus Jake Paul. It's crazy that it's occurring and I think the naysayers are spot on. But, we simply could not refuse it. No fighter in their right mind would have said no. Anyone who says they'd refuse is completely lying outright. We accepted a bout that we think is quite simple, will give AJ a huge presence in America and among the highest earnings. The Strategy For This Bout AJ was going to have a tune-up bout in November in Saudi Arabia - an eight-round contest versus an opponent ranked about 100th in the world heavyweight division. This was a chance to get his hands wrapped with his new training team, do the ringwalk and get some rounds in. Currently, we are doing that exact tune-up but for about 50 times more money. We have an obvious strategy planned - to stop Jake out as soon as possible. After that, we go into regular business resuming in 2026. AJ will fight against a world-class fighter in February and - if all goes well - he will then face Tyson Fury. Therefore there's a method to this madness and accepting this fight does not affect AJ's legacy. But losing to Jake or the fight even going the distance would. It would be a complete catastrophe and terribly humiliating. This Bout Is Not Scripted A great many people have asked me asking if it's scripted. Firstly, we'd be investigated by authorities if it was. That would be illegal. This constitutes a professional fight and an officially sanctioned match where fans are wagering. And do you think I would ever permit AJ to follow a script with Jake? A script where we might lose or even hold him up? No way. We are not providing this guy an advantage or a chance to claim "told you I was better than AJ" or "I took rounds from him". That would be catastrophic for Anthony Joshua and we will not take that risk. Expectations for an Early Knockout There are also those saying if AJ doesn't stop him in the first round then it is an embarrassment. He's expected to walk through this guy however, blimey, give him two or three stanzas just in case. Because how Jake approaches it will determine the speed of destruction. If he gets brave, it will end rapidly. But if he fights on the back foot and trying to clinch and jab and move, then he may survive a few rounds. We're not going to see AJ charge across the squared circle immediately and begin swinging wildly. Just like he did against Ngannou, he will step into the ring, measure him up and then go in with his power shots. Paul Can Punch a Little Bit I have heard figures like Roy Jones and Atlas stating you cannot dismiss Jake in this bout. Am I going crazy here Is there something they're seeing that I am missing? Let's get something clear - Jake Paul is a pro fighter. I believe he is a respectable cruiserweight - ranked in the top 70 in the world. This isn't an individual who has never laced a pair of gloves previously. He is able to punch with some power. He spars Okolie and top-10 heavyweights. Forgetting the win over Mike Tyson, who was well past his prime, Jake defeated Chavez Jr - who may have been a faded fighter but was not a complete mug. He prepared for the fight and was a former titleholder who went the distance with Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez and came close to stopping Martinez in the final round. So I actually credit Jake Paul for training hard and showing respect to the craft of boxing and he has accomplished so much for women's boxing through his Most Valuable Promotions. Yet in spite of his self-belief, passion, commitment and enhanced ability, he should be getting iced by Joshua. The Moment AJ Lands, It's Over Paul and his camp are hoping for many factors. Hoping AJ underestimates him, hoping AJ is shot, banking on AJ's lack of activity will be a factor, hoping AJ lacks confidence, banking on AJ's chin has deteriorated. But, unfortunately for them, AJ is super switched on. He has completed a training camp and he is preparing as if he is facing Oleksandr Usyk or in a potential Dubois rematch. I anticipate my fighter to triumph inside two rounds via a devastating knockout. A shot to Jake Paul to the body and he would break his ribs and he would be unable to get up. If he hits him clean, he will knock him to sleep. Alternatively could jump in. We don't know exactly how it will unfold however with the way AJ throws punches - with his speed and destruction - the instant a punch lands on the chin, the fight is over. Subsequently we go back to AJ's primary objectives he aims to accomplish in the remainder he has left in this sport - to fight Tyson Fury and to be crowned a three-time world heavyweight champion.
I've got no real defense for AJ versus Jake Paul. It's crazy that it's occurring and I think the naysayers are spot on. But, we simply could not refuse it. No fighter in their right mind would have said no. Anyone who says they'd refuse is completely lying outright. We accepted a bout that we think is quite simple, will give AJ a huge presence in America and among the highest earnings. The Strategy For This Bout AJ was going to have a tune-up bout in November in Saudi Arabia - an eight-round contest versus an opponent ranked about 100th in the world heavyweight division. This was a chance to get his hands wrapped with his new training team, do the ringwalk and get some rounds in. Currently, we are doing that exact tune-up but for about 50 times more money. We have an obvious strategy planned - to stop Jake out as soon as possible. After that, we go into regular business resuming in 2026. AJ will fight against a world-class fighter in February and - if all goes well - he will then face Tyson Fury. Therefore there's a method to this madness and accepting this fight does not affect AJ's legacy. But losing to Jake or the fight even going the distance would. It would be a complete catastrophe and terribly humiliating. This Bout Is Not Scripted A great many people have asked me asking if it's scripted. Firstly, we'd be investigated by authorities if it was. That would be illegal. This constitutes a professional fight and an officially sanctioned match where fans are wagering. And do you think I would ever permit AJ to follow a script with Jake? A script where we might lose or even hold him up? No way. We are not providing this guy an advantage or a chance to claim "told you I was better than AJ" or "I took rounds from him". That would be catastrophic for Anthony Joshua and we will not take that risk. Expectations for an Early Knockout There are also those saying if AJ doesn't stop him in the first round then it is an embarrassment. He's expected to walk through this guy however, blimey, give him two or three stanzas just in case. Because how Jake approaches it will determine the speed of destruction. If he gets brave, it will end rapidly. But if he fights on the back foot and trying to clinch and jab and move, then he may survive a few rounds. We're not going to see AJ charge across the squared circle immediately and begin swinging wildly. Just like he did against Ngannou, he will step into the ring, measure him up and then go in with his power shots. Paul Can Punch a Little Bit I have heard figures like Roy Jones and Atlas stating you cannot dismiss Jake in this bout. Am I going crazy here Is there something they're seeing that I am missing? Let's get something clear - Jake Paul is a pro fighter. I believe he is a respectable cruiserweight - ranked in the top 70 in the world. This isn't an individual who has never laced a pair of gloves previously. He is able to punch with some power. He spars Okolie and top-10 heavyweights. Forgetting the win over Mike Tyson, who was well past his prime, Jake defeated Chavez Jr - who may have been a faded fighter but was not a complete mug. He prepared for the fight and was a former titleholder who went the distance with Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez and came close to stopping Martinez in the final round. So I actually credit Jake Paul for training hard and showing respect to the craft of boxing and he has accomplished so much for women's boxing through his Most Valuable Promotions. Yet in spite of his self-belief, passion, commitment and enhanced ability, he should be getting iced by Joshua. The Moment AJ Lands, It's Over Paul and his camp are hoping for many factors. Hoping AJ underestimates him, hoping AJ is shot, banking on AJ's lack of activity will be a factor, hoping AJ lacks confidence, banking on AJ's chin has deteriorated. But, unfortunately for them, AJ is super switched on. He has completed a training camp and he is preparing as if he is facing Oleksandr Usyk or in a potential Dubois rematch. I anticipate my fighter to triumph inside two rounds via a devastating knockout. A shot to Jake Paul to the body and he would break his ribs and he would be unable to get up. If he hits him clean, he will knock him to sleep. Alternatively could jump in. We don't know exactly how it will unfold however with the way AJ throws punches - with his speed and destruction - the instant a punch lands on the chin, the fight is over. Subsequently we go back to AJ's primary objectives he aims to accomplish in the remainder he has left in this sport - to fight Tyson Fury and to be crowned a three-time world heavyweight champion.