Without a Script, Joshua Will Swiftly Stop Paul Out - Promoter Hearn Asserts

I've got no real defense regarding Anthony Joshua vs. Jake Paul. It's insane that it's occurring and I believe the critics are correct.

But, we simply could not turn it down. No fighter in their right mind would have said no. Anyone who says they would are completely lying through their teeth.

We took a bout which we believe is very straightforward, will provide AJ a massive presence in the United States and among his career-high earnings.

The Plan Behind the Fight

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

This was an opportunity to wrap the hands with his new coaching staff, do the ringwalk and get some rounds in. Currently, we are doing that same run-out however for about fifty times the money.

We possess an obvious strategy in mind - to knock Jake out asap. Then, we go into normal service resuming next year.

Joshua will box against a top-tier fighter in February and - should things go to plan - he will then face Fury.

Therefore there is logic to this madness and taking this fight does not affect AJ's legacy. But a loss against Jake or it even going the full distance would.

It would be a complete catastrophe and terribly embarrassing.

Paul vs Joshua Is Definitely Not Scripted

So many individuals have asked me asking if it's scripted. First of all, we would be investigated by authorities if it was. That would be illegal. This constitutes a professional fight and a sanctioned bout on which people are betting.

And do you think I would permit AJ to have a pre-written plan involving Jake? A script where we could lose or even hold him up? Absolutely not.

We are not providing this guy an advantage or an opportunity to claim "told you I was better than AJ" or "I won rounds". This would be devastating for AJ and we will not risk that.

Public Pressure for a Quick Finish

Then there are those who say if Anthony Joshua does not knock him out in the first round then it is an embarrassment.

He is expected to walk through this opponent however, goodness, allow him two to three stanzas for safety. Since how Jake approaches it will determine the pace of the finish.

Should he come forward, it will end quickly. But if he is boxing defensively and trying to tie him up and stick and move, then he might survive a couple of rounds.

We're not going to see AJ charge across the squared circle immediately and start windmilling.

Similar to his approach against Ngannou, he will go into the ring, measure him up and then unleash with the heavy artillery.

Paul Can Punch Somewhat

I've heard figures like Roy Jones Jr and Atlas saying you cannot dismiss Jake in this bout. Am I losing the plot ? Is there anything they see that I'm not?

Let us be something right - Jake is a pro fighter. I think he's a decent 200-pound fighter - top 60 or 70 in the world.

This is not an individual who has never laced a pair of gloves before. He can whack with some power. He spars Lawrence Okolie and top-10 heavyweights.

Putting aside the win over Tyson, who was then well past his prime, Jake did beat 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 titleholder who went the distance against Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez and came close to stopping Martinez late in the fight.

Therefore I actually credit Jake Paul for training hard and demonstrating respect to the craft , and he has accomplished a great deal for women's boxing through his promotion company.

But despite his self-belief, zeal, commitment and improved skills, he should be being knocked out by Anthony Joshua.

Once AJ Lands, It Is Finished

Paul and his camp are banking on a lot of things. Hoping AJ is underestimating him, hoping AJ is shot, banking on AJ's inactivity will cost him, hoping AJ lacks self-belief, banking on AJ's durability isn't what it once was.

However, to their misfortune, AJ is extremely focused. He has completed a training camp and he's training as if he is facing Usyk or in a Daniel Dubois rematch.

I expect my fighter to triumph inside two rounds with a devastating knockout.

A shot to Jake Paul to the midsection and he would break his rib cage and he wouldn't be able to rise.

If he hits him clean, he will knock him to sleep. Or could jump in.

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

Then the focus returns to AJ's two goals he aims to accomplish in the time of his career in boxing - to fight Fury and to be crowned a three-time world heavyweight champion.