No Script, Anthony Joshua Will Swiftly Knock Paul Out - Promoter Hearn Claims

I have no substantial justification for Anthony Joshua vs. Jake Paul. It's insane that it's occurring and I think the naysayers are correct.

However, we simply could not refuse it. No fighter in their right mind would have said no. Anybody claiming they'd refuse is utterly dishonest outright.

We took a fight which we believe is quite simple, will provide AJ a massive presence in the United States and among the highest paydays.

The Strategy For This Bout

AJ was going to have a tune-up bout in November in Saudi Arabia - an eight-round contest against a guy who was ranked around 100th in the heavyweight rankings.

This was an opportunity to get his hands wrapped with his new training team, make the ringwalk and get some rounds in. Now, we are doing that same tune-up however for about fifty times the money.

We have a clear strategy in mind - to stop Jake out asap. After that, we go into regular business resuming next year.

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

Therefore there is logic behind this craziness and accepting this fight will not harm Joshua's legacy. But a loss against Paul or it even going the distance certainly would.

That would be an absolute catastrophe and terribly embarrassing.

This Bout Is Definitely Not Scripted

A great many individuals have come up to me questioning if it's scripted. Firstly, we would be investigated by authorities if that were true. That would be against the law. This is a professional contest and an officially sanctioned match on which fans are wagering.

And does anyone believe I would ever permit AJ to have a pre-written plan with Jake? A script in which we could lose or even hold him up? Absolutely not.

We are not giving this guy an advantage or an opportunity to say "I told you I am superior to AJ" or "I took rounds from him". This would be catastrophic for Anthony Joshua and we're not going to take that risk.

Expectations for a Early Finish

Then there are those saying if Anthony Joshua does not stop him in the first round then it's a disgrace.

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

If he gets brave, it will all be over quickly. But if he is boxing on the back foot and attempting to clinch and jab and move, then he may survive a few rounds.

We will not see AJ run across the squared circle immediately and start windmilling.

Just like his approach against Ngannou, he will step into the ring, size him up and then unleash with his power shots.

Paul Can Punch Somewhat

I have heard the likes of Roy Jones and Teddy Atlas stating you cannot dismiss Jake Paul out in this fight. Am I really losing the plot here Is there anything they see that I'm not?

Let's get something right - Jake Paul is a professional boxer. I think he is a respectable cruiserweight - top 60 or 70 in the world.

This isn't a guy that has not laced a pair of gloves previously. He can punch a little bit. He spars Lawrence Okolie and top-10 heavyweights.

Putting aside the win over Tyson, who was then an old man, Jake defeated Chavez Jr - who might have been a faded fighter but was hardly a complete mug.

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

Therefore I give credit to Jake for training hard and showing respect for the sport of boxing and he has done so much for women's boxing with his promotion company.

But in spite of his self-belief, passion, commitment and improved skills, he ought to be being knocked out by Joshua.

The Moment Joshua Connects, It's Over

Jake and his team are banking on a lot of factors. Banking on AJ underestimates him, banking on AJ is past his best, banking on AJ's inactivity will be a factor, hoping AJ lacks confidence, banking on AJ's durability has deteriorated.

However, to their misfortune, AJ is extremely focused. He's had a camp and he is preparing like he is facing Oleksandr Usyk or in a Daniel Dubois rematch.

I expect my fighter to triumph within two rounds via a brutal knockout.

He could hit Jake Paul to the midsection and he would break his ribs and he wouldn't be able to rise.

Should he land flush, he will knock him to sleep. Alternatively could intervene.

We don't know exactly how it will unfold but with the way AJ throws punches - with the speed and destruction - as soon as Jake is hit on the chin, 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 be crowned a three-time heavyweight champion of the world.