Without a Script, Anthony Joshua Will Quickly Stop Paul Out - Hearn Claims

I've got no substantial justification for Anthony Joshua vs. Paul. It's wild that it's occurring and I believe the naysayers are correct.

However, we just couldn't turn it down. No boxer in their right mind would have said no. Anybody claiming they'd refuse is utterly dishonest through their teeth.

We accepted a bout that we think will be quite simple, will give AJ a massive profile in the United States and among his career-high paydays.

The Plan For This Bout

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

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

We have a clear game plan in mind - to knock Jake out as soon as possible. Then, we return to regular business resuming next year.

AJ will fight against a world-class fighter in February and - should things go to plan - he will then fight Fury.

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

It would be an absolute disaster and awfully humiliating.

Paul vs Joshua Is Definitely Not Pre-Arranged

A great many people have come up to me questioning whether it's fixed. First of all, we'd be investigated by the FBI if it was. It would be against the law. This constitutes a professional fight and a sanctioned bout where fans are wagering.

And does anyone believe I would allow AJ to follow a pre-written plan involving Jake? A plan in which we might lose or even make him look bad? No way.

We are not providing this guy an edge or an opportunity to claim "told you I am superior to AJ" or "I won rounds". This would be catastrophic for AJ and we will not risk that.

Expectations for a Early Finish

Then there are those saying if AJ doesn't stop him inside the first round then it's a disgrace.

He's expected to dominate this opponent however, goodness, allow him two to three stanzas just in case. Since Jake's approach will reflect on the pace of destruction.

If he gets brave, it will all be over quickly. However if he fights on the back foot and trying to tie him up and jab and move, then he might survive a couple of rounds.

We will not see AJ charge across the squared circle immediately and begin swinging wildly.

Just like his approach against Francis Ngannou, he will go in there, measure him up and then unleash with his power shots.

Jake Paul Has the Ability to Punch Somewhat

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

Let us be one thing right - Jake is a professional boxer. I think he is a respectable 200-pound fighter - ranked in the top 70 in the world.

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

Putting aside the victory against Mike Tyson, who was then an old man, Jake defeated Julio Cesar Chavez Jr - who might have been a faded fighter but was not a complete mug.

Chavez Jr trained for that bout and had been a world champion who went to points with Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez and came close to stopping Sergio Martinez in the final round.

So I actually credit Jake Paul for training hard and demonstrating respect to the craft , and he has done a great deal for women's boxing through his Most Valuable Promotions.

Yet in spite of his self-belief, zeal, dedication and enhanced ability, he ought to be getting iced by Anthony Joshua.

The Moment Joshua Connects, It Is Finished

Jake and his team are hoping for a lot of things. Banking on AJ underestimates him, hoping AJ is past his best, banking on AJ's lack of activity will cost him, banking on AJ is low in self-belief, banking on AJ's durability has deteriorated.

But, to their misfortune, AJ is extremely switched on. He has completed a camp and he's training as if he is facing Oleksandr Usyk or in a potential Daniel Dubois rematch.

I expect Anthony Joshua to triumph within two rounds via a brutal KO.

A shot to Jake to the body and it could break his rib cage and he wouldn't be able to get up.

Should he land flush, he will put him to sleep. Alternatively the referee.

It is unknown how it could play out but with the way AJ throws punches - with his speed and power - as soon as a punch lands clean, the fight is over.

Subsequently we go back to AJ's primary objectives he wants to achieve in the time of his career in boxing - to face Tyson Fury and to be crowned a three-time heavyweight champion of the world.