Without a Script, Anthony Joshua Will Swiftly Knock Jake Paul Out - Hearn States

I've got no real defence regarding Anthony Joshua vs. Jake Paul. It's crazy that it's happening and I believe the skeptics are right.

But, we just couldn't refuse it. No fighter in their right mind would have declined. Anyone who says they would is completely lying through their teeth.

We accepted a bout that we believe is extremely easy, will provide AJ a huge presence in America and among his career-high paydays.

The Plan For This Bout

Anthony Joshua was set to have a run-out fight in November in Saudi Arabia - an eight-round contest versus a guy ranked about 100th in the world heavyweight rankings.

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 however for about 50 times more purse.

We have an obvious game plan planned - to knock Jake out asap. After that, we return to regular business being resumed next year.

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

Therefore there's a method behind this craziness and accepting this bout does not affect AJ's legacy. However losing to Jake or the fight even going the full distance certainly would.

It would be an absolute catastrophe and terribly embarrassing.

Paul vs Joshua Is Not Scripted

A great many individuals have come up to me asking if it's scripted. First of all, we would be investigated by the FBI if that were true. That would be against the law. This constitutes a professional fight and a sanctioned bout where people are betting.

And does anyone believe I would ever allow AJ to have a pre-written plan with Jake Paul? A script where we might lose or even make him look bad? No way.

We are not providing this opponent an edge or an opportunity to claim "I told you I am superior to AJ" or "I won rounds". That would be catastrophic for AJ and we're not going to take that risk.

Public Pressure for a Quick Knockout

There are also those who say if AJ doesn't knock him out inside the first round then it is a disgrace.

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

Should he come forward, it will all be over quickly. However if he is boxing defensively and attempting to clinch and stick and move, then he might survive a couple of rounds.

We will not see AJ charge across the ring in the first few seconds and start windmilling.

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

Paul Can Punch Somewhat

I have heard figures like Roy Jones and Teddy Atlas saying you cannot dismiss Jake out in this fight. Am I really going crazy here Is there something they're seeing that I am missing?

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

This isn't an individual that has not laced a pair of gloves previously. He can whack with some power. He spars Okolie and top-10 big men.

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

Chavez Jr trained for the fight and was a former world champion who went to points against Canelo Alvarez and came close to stopping Sergio Martinez late in the fight.

Therefore I actually credit Jake for training hard and showing respect to the craft of boxing and he has done a great deal for women's boxing with his promotion company.

But despite his self-belief, passion, commitment and enhanced ability, he ought to be getting iced by Joshua.

Once AJ Lands, It Is Finished

Jake and his team are hoping for many factors. Banking on AJ is underestimating them, hoping AJ is past his best, banking on AJ's lack of activity will cost him, hoping AJ lacks self-belief, banking on AJ's chin has deteriorated.

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

I anticipate Anthony Joshua to triumph within two rounds with a brutal knockout.

He could hit Jake Paul to the body and it could break his rib cage and he wouldn't be able to rise.

Should he land flush, he will put him to sleep. Alternatively could jump in.

It is unknown how it could play out however with the way AJ throws punches - with his speed and destruction - as soon as a punch lands on the chin, the fight is over.

Subsequently we go back to AJ's two goals he wants to achieve in the time he has left in this sport - to face Tyson Fury and to become a three-time heavyweight champion of the world.