đź”— Share this article Without a Script, Anthony Joshua Will Rapidly Knock Paul Out - Hearn Asserts I've got no real justification regarding AJ vs. Jake Paul. It's insane that it's occurring and I think the critics are spot on. But, we simply could not reject it. No boxer who is sensible would have said no. Anybody claiming they would is completely lying outright. We took a bout that we think will be quite simple, will provide AJ an enormous presence in the United States and among the highest earnings. The Plan Behind This Bout AJ was going to have a tune-up bout in November in Saudi Arabia - an eight-round contest versus an opponent ranked around 100th in the world heavyweight rankings. This was an opportunity to wrap the hands with his fresh training team, make the ringwalk and get some rounds in. Now, we're doing that same run-out however for about fifty times the money. We have a clear game plan planned - to stop Jake Paul out asap. Then, we go into regular business resuming next year. AJ will fight versus a world-class fighter in February and - if all goes well - he will then face Fury. Therefore there is logic behind this craziness and accepting this fight will not harm AJ's legacy. But losing to Paul or it even going the full distance certainly would. It would be an absolute catastrophe and terribly embarrassing. Paul vs Joshua Is Not Scripted So many individuals have come up to me questioning whether it's fixed. First of all, we would be investigated by authorities if that were true. It would be against the law. This constitutes a professional fight and a sanctioned bout where people are betting. And do you think I would ever allow AJ to follow a script with Jake Paul? A plan where we might lose or even hold him up? Absolutely not. We are not giving this opponent an advantage or an opportunity to say "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. Public Pressure for an Early Finish There are also those saying if AJ doesn't knock him out inside the first round then it is a disgrace. He is expected to walk through this guy however, goodness, allow him two to three stanzas for safety. Because Jake's approach will determine the speed of the finish. If he gets brave, it will all be over quickly. But if he is boxing defensively and attempting to tie him up and jab and move, then he might 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 Francis Ngannou, he will step into the ring, size him up and then unleash with the heavy artillery. Jake Paul Has the Ability to Whack a Little Bit I've heard figures like Roy Jones and Atlas saying you can't count Jake in this bout. Am I going crazy here Is there something they see that I am missing? Let us be one thing right - Jake Paul is a pro fighter. I think he's a decent cruiserweight - top 60 or 70 in the world. This is not a guy who has never laced a pair of gloves previously. He can whack a little bit. He spars Okolie and top-ten big men. Forgetting the win over Mike Tyson, who was an old man, Jake defeated Chavez Jr - who may have been a faded fighter but was not a total pushover. He trained for the fight and had been a titleholder who went to points with Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez and nearly stopped Sergio Martinez in the final round. Therefore I give credit to Jake Paul for his hard work and demonstrating respect to the craft , and he has done so much for women's boxing through his Most Valuable Promotions. Yet in spite of his self-belief, zeal, commitment and enhanced ability, he should be being knocked out by Joshua. Once AJ Lands, It Is Finished Paul and his camp are hoping for many things. Banking on AJ underestimates them, banking on AJ is shot, hoping AJ's inactivity will cost him, banking on AJ lacks self-belief, hoping AJ's chin has deteriorated. But, unfortunately for them, AJ is extremely focused. He has completed a camp and he is preparing as if he is facing Oleksandr Usyk or in a Daniel Dubois rematch. I expect Anthony Joshua to win within two rounds via a devastating knockout. He could hit Jake to the midsection and it could 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 how it could play out but with the way AJ punches - with his speed and power - as soon as a punch lands on the chin, the fight is over. Then we go back to AJ's primary objectives he aims to accomplish in the remainder of his career in this sport - to fight Tyson Fury and to become a three-time heavyweight champion of the world.
I've got no real justification regarding AJ vs. Jake Paul. It's insane that it's occurring and I think the critics are spot on. But, we simply could not reject it. No boxer who is sensible would have said no. Anybody claiming they would is completely lying outright. We took a bout that we think will be quite simple, will provide AJ an enormous presence in the United States and among the highest earnings. The Plan Behind This Bout AJ was going to have a tune-up bout in November in Saudi Arabia - an eight-round contest versus an opponent ranked around 100th in the world heavyweight rankings. This was an opportunity to wrap the hands with his fresh training team, make the ringwalk and get some rounds in. Now, we're doing that same run-out however for about fifty times the money. We have a clear game plan planned - to stop Jake Paul out asap. Then, we go into regular business resuming next year. AJ will fight versus a world-class fighter in February and - if all goes well - he will then face Fury. Therefore there is logic behind this craziness and accepting this fight will not harm AJ's legacy. But losing to Paul or it even going the full distance certainly would. It would be an absolute catastrophe and terribly embarrassing. Paul vs Joshua Is Not Scripted So many individuals have come up to me questioning whether it's fixed. First of all, we would be investigated by authorities if that were true. It would be against the law. This constitutes a professional fight and a sanctioned bout where people are betting. And do you think I would ever allow AJ to follow a script with Jake Paul? A plan where we might lose or even hold him up? Absolutely not. We are not giving this opponent an advantage or an opportunity to say "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. Public Pressure for an Early Finish There are also those saying if AJ doesn't knock him out inside the first round then it is a disgrace. He is expected to walk through this guy however, goodness, allow him two to three stanzas for safety. Because Jake's approach will determine the speed of the finish. If he gets brave, it will all be over quickly. But if he is boxing defensively and attempting to tie him up and jab and move, then he might 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 Francis Ngannou, he will step into the ring, size him up and then unleash with the heavy artillery. Jake Paul Has the Ability to Whack a Little Bit I've heard figures like Roy Jones and Atlas saying you can't count Jake in this bout. Am I going crazy here Is there something they see that I am missing? Let us be one thing right - Jake Paul is a pro fighter. I think he's a decent cruiserweight - top 60 or 70 in the world. This is not a guy who has never laced a pair of gloves previously. He can whack a little bit. He spars Okolie and top-ten big men. Forgetting the win over Mike Tyson, who was an old man, Jake defeated Chavez Jr - who may have been a faded fighter but was not a total pushover. He trained for the fight and had been a titleholder who went to points with Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez and nearly stopped Sergio Martinez in the final round. Therefore I give credit to Jake Paul for his hard work and demonstrating respect to the craft , and he has done so much for women's boxing through his Most Valuable Promotions. Yet in spite of his self-belief, zeal, commitment and enhanced ability, he should be being knocked out by Joshua. Once AJ Lands, It Is Finished Paul and his camp are hoping for many things. Banking on AJ underestimates them, banking on AJ is shot, hoping AJ's inactivity will cost him, banking on AJ lacks self-belief, hoping AJ's chin has deteriorated. But, unfortunately for them, AJ is extremely focused. He has completed a camp and he is preparing as if he is facing Oleksandr Usyk or in a Daniel Dubois rematch. I expect Anthony Joshua to win within two rounds via a devastating knockout. He could hit Jake to the midsection and it could 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 how it could play out but with the way AJ punches - with his speed and power - as soon as a punch lands on the chin, the fight is over. Then we go back to AJ's primary objectives he aims to accomplish in the remainder of his career in this sport - to fight Tyson Fury and to become a three-time heavyweight champion of the world.