No Script, Anthony Joshua Will Quickly Stop Jake Paul Out - Promoter Hearn States

I've got no real justification for Anthony Joshua vs. Paul. It's wild that it's occurring and I think the naysayers are right.

However, we simply could not turn it down. No boxer who is sensible would have said no. Anyone who says they'd refuse are utterly dishonest through their teeth.

We took a fight which we believe is extremely easy, will give AJ an enormous profile in America and among the highest paydays.

The Strategy For the Fight

Anthony Joshua was set to have a run-out fight in November in Saudi Arabia - an eight-round contest against an opponent who was ranked about 100th in the world heavyweight division.

It was an opportunity to get his hands wrapped by his fresh training team, make the ringwalk and go through the motions. Now, we're doing that exact run-out but for about fifty times the purse.

We have an obvious game plan in mind - to knock Jake Paul out as soon as possible. Then, we go into regular business resuming next year.

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

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

That would be an absolute disaster and awfully humiliating.

Paul vs Joshua Is Definitely Not Pre-Arranged

A great many people have come up to me asking whether it's fixed. First of all, we would be investigated by authorities if it was. It would be against the law. This constitutes a professional contest and a sanctioned bout on which fans are wagering.

And do you think I would ever permit AJ to follow a script with Jake Paul? A plan in which we might lose or even make him look bad? Absolutely not.

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

Expectations for an Quick Finish

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

He's expected to dominate this guy but, blimey, allow him two to three rounds for safety. Since Jake's approach will determine the pace of the finish.

Should he come forward, it will all be over rapidly. But if he fights on the back foot and trying to clinch and jab and move, then he may last a few rounds.

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

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

Paul Can Punch a Little Bit

I have heard figures like Roy Jones Jr and Atlas stating you can't count Jake Paul in this bout. Am I going crazy ? Is there something they see that I'm not?

Let's get something right - Jake Paul is a professional boxer. I believe he is a respectable 200-pound fighter - ranked in the top 70 globally.

This is not an individual that has not put on boxing gloves before. He can punch a little bit. He spars Okolie and top-ten heavyweights.

Putting aside the win over Mike Tyson, who was then an old man, Jake did beat Chavez Jr - who may have been a done fighter but was hardly a complete mug.

Chavez Jr trained for that bout and was a former world champion who went the distance with Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez and came close to stopping Martinez late in the fight.

So I actually credit Jake Paul for training hard and demonstrating respect for the sport , and he has accomplished so much for female boxing through his Most Valuable Promotions.

But despite his self-belief, passion, dedication and enhanced ability, he ought to be getting iced by Joshua.

Once AJ Lands, It's Over

Paul and his camp are banking on many things. Hoping AJ underestimates them, banking on AJ is shot, banking on AJ's lack of activity will be a factor, banking on AJ is low in self-belief, banking on AJ's durability has deteriorated.

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

I anticipate my fighter to win within two rounds via a devastating KO.

A shot to Jake Paul to the body and it could break his rib cage and he wouldn't be able to rise.

If he hits him clean, he will knock him spark out. Or the referee.

We don't know how it could play out but given how AJ punches - with the speed and power - the instant a punch lands clean, the contest will end.

Subsequently the focus returns to AJ's primary objectives he aims to accomplish in the remainder of his career in boxing - to face Fury and to become a three-time heavyweight champion of the world.