No Script, Joshua Will Quickly Stop Paul Out - Promoter Hearn States

I have no substantial defense regarding AJ versus Jake Paul. It's crazy the fact it's taking place and I believe the naysayers are spot on.

However, we just couldn't reject it. No fighter in their right mind would have said no. Anyone who says they would is utterly dishonest through their teeth.

We took a fight which we think will be quite simple, will give AJ an enormous presence in America and among the highest earnings.

The Plan Behind the Fight

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

This was a chance to get his hands wrapped with his fresh training team, make the ringwalk and go through the motions. Now, we're doing that exact run-out but for about 50 times more money.

We possess a clear game plan planned - to stop Jake out asap. After that, we go into normal service being resumed next year.

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

Therefore there's a method behind this craziness and accepting this fight will not harm AJ's legacy. However losing to Paul or the fight even going the full distance certainly would.

It would be a complete disaster and awfully humiliating.

Paul vs Joshua Is Definitely Not Scripted

So many people have come up to me questioning if it's scripted. Firstly, we'd be investigated by the FBI if it was. That would be against the law. This is a professional fight and a sanctioned bout where people are betting.

And do you think I would ever allow AJ to have a script with Jake? A plan in which we might lose or even hold him up? Absolutely not.

We are certainly not giving this opponent an edge or a chance to say "I told you I was better than AJ" or "I won rounds". This would be catastrophic for Anthony Joshua and we will not take that risk.

Expectations for an Quick Finish

Then there are those saying if AJ doesn't stop him in the first round then it is an embarrassment.

He's expected to walk through this opponent but, blimey, allow him two to three stanzas just in case. Since how Jake approaches it will reflect on the speed of the finish.

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 may survive a few rounds.

We're not going to see AJ charge across the ring in the first few seconds and start windmilling.

Just like he did against Francis Ngannou, he will step into the ring, measure him up and then unleash with the heavy artillery.

Jake Paul Has the Ability to Whack a Little Bit

I have heard figures like Roy Jones Jr and Teddy Atlas stating you can't count Jake out in this fight. Am I really losing the plot here Is there something they see that I'm not?

Let us be one thing clear - Jake is a pro fighter. I believe he's a decent cruiserweight - top 60 or 70 in the world.

This is not an individual who has never laced a pair of gloves before. He can punch with some power. He's sparring Okolie and top-10 big men.

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

Chavez Jr prepared for the fight and had been a titleholder who went to points against Canelo Alvarez and nearly stopped Sergio Martinez in the final round.

Therefore I actually credit Jake Paul for his hard work 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 delusion, zeal, commitment and enhanced ability, he ought to be getting iced by Anthony Joshua.

Once Joshua Connects, It Is Finished

Paul and his camp are banking on many factors. Hoping AJ underestimates them, hoping AJ is past his best, hoping AJ's inactivity will cost him, hoping AJ lacks self-belief, banking on AJ's durability has deteriorated.

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

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

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

Should he land flush, he will put him spark out. Or the referee.

It is unknown exactly how it will unfold however with the way AJ punches - with the speed and destruction - the instant Jake is hit clean, the contest will end.

Subsequently the focus returns to AJ's primary objectives he wants to achieve in the time of his career in this sport - to fight Tyson Fury and to become a three-time heavyweight champion of the world.