No Script, Anthony Joshua Will Quickly Knock Paul Out - Hearn States

I've got no genuine defence for Anthony Joshua vs. Paul. It's wild that it's occurring and I feel the naysayers are correct.

However, we simply could not refuse it. No fighter who is sensible would have declined. Anyone who says they would are completely lying through their teeth.

We took a bout which we believe will be very straightforward, will give AJ a massive profile in America and among the highest earnings.

The Strategy Behind This Bout

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

This was an opportunity to wrap the hands by his fresh coaching staff, do the ringwalk and go through the motions. Currently, we are doing that same tune-up however for 50 times more purse.

We possess a clear strategy planned - to knock Jake Paul out asap. After that, we return to regular business resuming next year.

Joshua will box versus a top-tier opponent in February and - if all goes well - he will then fight Tyson Fury.

Therefore there's a method behind this craziness and taking this bout does not affect Joshua's legacy. But losing to Paul or it even going the full distance certainly would.

It would be an absolute catastrophe and terribly embarrassing.

This Bout Is Not Pre-Arranged

A great many individuals have asked me asking if it's scripted. First of all, we'd be investigated by authorities if that were true. That would be against the law. This constitutes a professional fight and an officially sanctioned match on which fans are wagering.

And do you think I would permit AJ to have a pre-written plan involving Jake? A plan where we might lose or even make him look bad? No way.

We are not giving this opponent an edge or an opportunity to claim "told you I was better than AJ" or "I took rounds from him". That would be catastrophic for Anthony Joshua and we will not take that risk.

Public Pressure for a Quick Knockout

There are also those who say if AJ doesn't knock him out in the first round then it is an embarrassment.

He is expected to dominate this opponent however, blimey, give him two to three rounds just in case. Because how Jake approaches it will determine the speed of destruction.

If he gets brave, it will all be over quickly. However if he is boxing defensively and attempting to tie him up and jab and move, then he might last a few rounds.

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

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

Jake Paul Has the Ability to Punch a Little Bit

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

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

This is not a guy who has never put on boxing gloves previously. He can punch with some power. He's sparring Lawrence Okolie and top-10 big men.

Putting aside the victory against Tyson, who was then well past his prime, Jake defeated Chavez Jr - who might have been a faded fighter but was hardly a total pushover.

He prepared for that bout and was a former world champion who went to points with Canelo Alvarez and came close to stopping Martinez late in the fight.

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

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

The Moment Joshua Connects, It's Over

Paul and his camp are banking on many things. Banking on AJ underestimates him, banking on AJ is past his best, hoping AJ's lack of activity will be a factor, hoping AJ lacks self-belief, hoping AJ's durability has deteriorated.

But, to their misfortune, AJ is super focused. He has completed a camp and he is preparing as if he is facing Usyk or in a potential Dubois second fight.

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

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

If he hits him clean, he will put him to sleep. Or could intervene.

It is unknown how it could play out but with the way AJ throws punches - with his speed and power - the instant Jake is hit on the chin, the contest will end.

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