Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul are set to face off in a professional heavyweight bout in Miami next month – and promoter Eddie Hearn has delivered his latest prediction.
Eddie Hearn has claimed the boxing world would come to a shuddering and terminal halt if Anthony Joshua suffers a shock defeat against Jake Paul next month. Joshua, 36, a former two-time heavyweight world champion, is set to go toe-to-toe against YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul in Miami, United States on Friday, December 19.
As well as having a vast amount more experience, and skill, than Paul, who has had 13 professional fights and operates around the cruiserweight limit, Joshua is by far the bigger man. Indeed, Joshua is 13cm taller than his opponent and the difference in height was evident during their pre-fight press conference last week.
Losing to Paul in the £140million fight would be a disaster for Joshua and his reputation – according to Hearn – although his long-term fight promoter does not see that outcome happening.
READ MORE: Anthony Joshua hits nail on the head with honest opinion of Jake PaulREAD MORE: Jake Paul makes very obvious observation about Anthony Joshua
“He is a top-50, in the world, cruiserweight,” Hearn said of Paul. “He is a legitimate cruiserweight now. I just don’t think he’s world class and I don’t think there’s any non-world class cruiserweight that can step up to heavyweight and beat Anthony Joshua.
“Maybe I’m wrong. If I’m wrong, I think my time’s up. Not just AJ and me retire, I think we should all retire. So AJ the weight of boxing is on your shoulders, my man!”
Hearn is expecting Joshua to knock Paul out fast. “I really believe this is going to be a straightforward obliteration,” he told Sky Sports. “This is a real fight. This is a sanctioned contest.
“It is completely illegal to have any kind of agreement of how the fight would play out.
“Fair play to Jake Paul. He’s signed up for a real fight,” he added. “Within less than a minute of that fight he is going to think to himself; ‘What on earth have I done here’? And more importantly; ‘What am I going to do’?
“There is absolutely no escape for Jake Paul in this fight.. You will find out very quickly what this boxing game is all about. And it will not be pleasant for you.”
What would count as success for Joshua in the fight apart from winning? Well, Hearn thinks that the Watford-born heavyweight has no interest in hanging around and believes the bout could be over in no time.
“AJ, he’s got no interest in hanging around. He’s not capable of doing that,” Hearn continued. “He can’t do it because the minute he smells weakness, the minute he smells blood, he’s letting his hands go.
“And the minute he lets his hands go in this fight, there’s a major problem for Jake Paul.
“Will [AJ] have a look for a minute? Maybe. But if Jake Paul shows any sign of aggression, the fights’ over. And if he doesn’t he’s going to get walked down and beaten up. I would say two rounds is fair for Anthony Joshua.
“I would be disappointed if AJ didn’t get him out of there in two rounds.”
