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

I have no genuine defense regarding AJ vs. Paul. It's crazy that it's happening and I think the skeptics are spot on.

However, we simply could not refuse it. No boxer who is sensible would have said no. Anyone who says they would is completely lying through their teeth.

We took a bout which we believe is extremely easy, will provide AJ an enormous presence in the United States and one of the highest earnings.

The Plan Behind This Bout

AJ was going to have a run-out fight in November in Saudi Arabia - an eight-rounder versus an opponent ranked around 100th in the world heavyweight division.

This was an opportunity to wrap the hands by his fresh training team, do the ringwalk and go through the motions. Now, we are doing that same run-out however for 50 times more purse.

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

Joshua will box versus a top-tier opponent next February and - should things go to plan - he will then face Fury.

Therefore there's a method to this madness and taking this fight will not harm AJ's legacy. However a loss against Paul or the fight even going the full distance certainly would.

It would be a complete catastrophe and awfully embarrassing.

Paul vs Joshua Is Not Pre-Arranged

So many people have asked me questioning whether it's fixed. Firstly, we'd be investigated by the FBI if it was. That would be against the law. This is a professional contest and a sanctioned bout on which people are betting.

And does anyone believe I would allow AJ to have a script with Jake Paul? A script in which we could lose or even make him look bad? No way.

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

Public Pressure for an Quick Knockout

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

He is expected to dominate this opponent however, goodness, give him two or three stanzas for safety. Because how Jake approaches it will determine the pace of destruction.

If he gets brave, it will all be over quickly. However if he fights on the back foot and attempting to clinch and jab and move, then he might last a couple of rounds.

We will not see AJ charge across the ring in the first few seconds and begin swinging wildly.

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

Jake Paul Has the Ability to Punch a Little Bit

I've heard the likes of Roy Jones Jr and Atlas saying you can't count Jake out in this fight. Am I going crazy here Is there anything they see that I'm not?

Let us be one thing right - Jake Paul is a pro fighter. I think he is a respectable 200-pound fighter - ranked in the top 70 globally.

This is not an individual who has never laced a pair of gloves before. He is able to whack with some power. He spars Okolie and top-ten heavyweights.

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

He trained for that bout and was a former titleholder who went the distance against Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez and came close to stopping Sergio Martinez in the final round.

So I give credit to Jake Paul for training hard and demonstrating respect to the craft of boxing and he has done a great deal for women's boxing with his promotion company.

Yet in spite of his self-belief, passion, dedication and improved skills, he should be getting iced by Joshua.

Once AJ Lands, It Is Finished

Jake and his team are banking on a lot of factors. Banking on AJ is underestimating him, hoping AJ is shot, hoping AJ's inactivity will cost him, banking on AJ lacks confidence, banking on AJ's durability has deteriorated.

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

I expect my fighter to win within two rounds with a brutal KO.

He could hit Jake Paul to the midsection and he would break his ribs and he would be unable to get up.

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

It is unknown exactly how it will unfold but given how AJ throws punches - with his speed and destruction - the instant Jake is hit clean, the fight is over.

Then the focus returns to AJ's primary objectives he aims to accomplish in the time of his career in this sport - to fight Tyson Fury and to be crowned a three-time heavyweight champion of the world.