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

I have no real defence regarding AJ vs. Paul. It's crazy the fact it's taking place and I think the critics are right.

However, we simply could not refuse it. No boxer who is sensible would have declined. Anybody claiming they'd refuse are completely lying outright.

We took a fight which we think is quite simple, will provide AJ an enormous profile in the United States and one of the highest paydays.

The Plan For the Fight

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

It was a chance to wrap the hands with his fresh training team, do the ringwalk and get some rounds in. Now, we're doing that same run-out but for 50 times more purse.

We possess an obvious strategy planned - to stop Jake out as soon as possible. Then, we return to regular business resuming next year.

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

Therefore there is logic to this madness and taking this bout does not affect AJ's legacy. However losing to Jake or the fight even going the distance would.

That would be an absolute catastrophe and awfully embarrassing.

Paul vs Joshua Is Not Scripted

So many people have come up to me asking whether it's fixed. Firstly, we'd be investigated by the FBI if it was. It would be against the law. This constitutes a professional contest and a sanctioned bout where people are betting.

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

We are not providing this guy an advantage or an opportunity to claim "told you I am superior to 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 who say if Anthony Joshua does not knock him out inside the first round then it's a disgrace.

He's expected to walk through this opponent but, goodness, allow him two to three stanzas just in case. Because Jake's approach will determine the pace of destruction.

Should he come forward, it will all be over rapidly. But if he fights on the back foot and attempting to tie him up and stick and move, then he might last a few rounds.

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

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

Paul Can Punch Somewhat

I have heard figures like Roy Jones Jr and Teddy Atlas saying you cannot dismiss Jake out in this fight. Am I going crazy ? Is there anything they see that I am missing?

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

This isn't a guy that has not laced a pair of gloves before. He can whack a little bit. He's sparring Okolie and top-ten heavyweights.

Forgetting the victory against Mike Tyson, who was an old man, Jake did beat Chavez Jr - who might have been a faded fighter but was hardly a total pushover.

Chavez Jr prepared for the fight and was a former world champion who went the distance with Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez and nearly stopped Martinez late in the fight.

So I give credit to Jake Paul for training hard and showing respect for the sport of boxing and he has accomplished so much for female boxing with his promotion company.

Yet in spite of his self-belief, passion, commitment and improved skills, he ought to be getting iced by Anthony Joshua.

Once Joshua Connects, It Is Finished

Paul and his camp are hoping for a lot of things. Banking on AJ is underestimating him, banking on AJ is past his best, hoping AJ's inactivity will be a factor, hoping AJ lacks confidence, banking on AJ's chin isn't what it once was.

But, to their misfortune, AJ is super switched on. He has completed a camp and he's training as if he's fighting Usyk or in a potential Dubois second fight.

I anticipate Anthony Joshua to win within two rounds with a devastating KO.

He could hit Jake to the body and he would break his rib cage and he wouldn't be able to get up.

Should he land flush, he will knock him spark out. Alternatively could jump in.

It is unknown exactly how it will unfold but with the way AJ punches - with his speed and destruction - as soon as a punch lands clean, the contest will end.

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.