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

I've got no substantial defence for Anthony Joshua versus Paul. It's crazy that it's occurring and I believe the naysayers are correct.

But, we simply could not refuse it. No boxer in their right mind would have declined. Anybody claiming they'd refuse are utterly dishonest outright.

We took a bout which we think will be extremely easy, will give AJ an enormous presence in the United States and among his career-high earnings.

The Strategy Behind This Bout

AJ was going to have a run-out fight this November in Saudi - an eight-rounder against a guy who was ranked about 100th in the world heavyweight rankings.

It was a chance to get his hands wrapped by his new training team, do the ringwalk and go through the motions. Now, we are doing that same tune-up but for about fifty times the purse.

We possess a clear strategy planned - to stop Jake Paul out as soon as possible. Then, we return to regular business being resumed next year.

Joshua will box against a world-class opponent next February and - if all goes well - he will then fight Fury.

So there is logic to this madness and taking this bout will not harm AJ's legacy. However losing to Paul or the fight even going the full distance certainly would.

It would be a complete catastrophe and terribly embarrassing.

This Bout Is Not Scripted

A great many people have come up to me questioning if it's scripted. Firstly, we would be investigated by the FBI if that were true. That would be against the law. This constitutes a professional fight and an officially sanctioned match on which people are betting.

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

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

Expectations for an Early Knockout

Then there are those saying if AJ doesn't knock him out inside the first round then it's an embarrassment.

He's expected to walk through this guy however, blimey, allow him two or three stanzas for safety. Since Jake's approach will reflect on the pace of the finish.

If he gets brave, it will end quickly. However if he fights defensively and attempting to clinch and jab and move, then he might survive a few rounds.

We're not going to see AJ run across the squared circle in the first few seconds and begin swinging wildly.

Similar to he did against Ngannou, he will go in there, size him up and then go in with the heavy artillery.

Paul Can Whack Somewhat

I've heard the likes of Roy Jones and Teddy Atlas saying you can't count Jake Paul in this bout. Am I going crazy here Is there something they're seeing that I'm not?

Let us be something clear - Jake Paul is a pro fighter. I think he's a decent 200-pound fighter - top 60 or 70 globally.

This isn't an individual that has not put on boxing gloves previously. He is able to whack a little bit. He's sparring Lawrence Okolie and top-ten big men.

Putting aside the win over Mike Tyson, who was well past his prime, Jake did beat Julio Cesar Chavez Jr - who might have been a faded fighter but was hardly a complete mug.

Chavez Jr prepared for that bout and had been a titleholder who went the distance with Canelo Alvarez and came close to stopping Martinez late in the fight.

Therefore I give credit to Jake Paul for his hard work and demonstrating respect for the sport of boxing and he has done so much for female boxing with his Most Valuable Promotions.

But despite his delusion, passion, commitment and enhanced ability, he ought to be being knocked out by Joshua.

The Moment AJ Lands, It's Over

Paul and his camp are banking on many factors. Hoping AJ underestimates him, hoping AJ is past his best, hoping AJ's inactivity will cost him, hoping AJ is low in self-belief, banking on AJ's durability has deteriorated.

But, unfortunately for them, AJ is super switched on. He has completed a training camp and he's training as if he is facing Oleksandr Usyk or in a Daniel Dubois second fight.

I expect Anthony Joshua to triumph inside two rounds with a devastating knockout.

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

Should he land flush, he will knock him spark out. Or the referee.

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

Subsequently we go back to AJ's primary objectives he aims to accomplish in the remainder he has left in this sport - to face Tyson Fury and to become a three-time world heavyweight champion.