I have no substantial defense regarding AJ versus Jake Paul. It's insane the fact it's occurring and I feel the naysayers are correct.
However, we just couldn't turn it down. No boxer in their right mind would have declined. Anyone who says they would are completely lying through their teeth.
We took a fight that we believe will be very straightforward, will provide AJ a massive profile in America and among his career-high earnings.
The Plan For the Fight
AJ was going to have a tune-up bout in November in Saudi Arabia - an eight-rounder against an opponent ranked about 100th in the heavyweight rankings.
It was an opportunity to wrap the hands with his new coaching staff, do the ringwalk and go through the motions. Currently, we're doing that same tune-up but for fifty times the money.
We have a clear game plan planned - to stop Jake out asap. After that, we go into regular business being resumed in 2026.
Joshua will box against a world-class fighter next February and - if all goes well - he will then fight Tyson Fury.
Therefore there's a method to this madness and accepting this bout will not harm Joshua's legacy. However losing to Paul or the fight even going the distance would.
It would be an absolute catastrophe and terribly humiliating.
This Bout Is Definitely Not Pre-Arranged
A great many people have asked me asking whether it's fixed. First of all, we'd be investigated by authorities if that were true. It would be against the law. This constitutes a professional fight and a sanctioned bout where people are betting.
And do you think I would allow AJ to follow a pre-written plan involving Jake Paul? A plan in which we could lose or even make him look bad? Absolutely not.
We are not giving this guy an advantage or an opportunity to say "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.
Expectations for a Early Knockout
There are also those saying if Anthony Joshua does not knock him out inside the first round then it's an embarrassment.
He's expected to walk through this guy however, goodness, give him two to three stanzas for safety. Because how Jake approaches it will determine the pace of the finish.
Should he come forward, it will all be over quickly. However if he is boxing on the back foot and trying to tie him up and jab and move, then he might last a couple of rounds.
We will not see AJ run across the squared circle immediately and start windmilling.
Just like he did against Ngannou, he will go in there, size him up and then unleash with his power shots.
Paul Can Punch a Little Bit
I have heard the likes of Roy Jones Jr and Atlas saying you can't count Jake Paul in this bout. Am I really losing the plot here Is there something they're seeing that I'm not?
Let's get one thing clear - Jake Paul is a professional boxer. I believe he's a decent 200-pound fighter - ranked in the top 70 globally.
This isn't an individual that has not laced a pair of gloves before. He can whack with some power. He's sparring Lawrence Okolie and top-10 heavyweights.
Putting aside the victory against Tyson, who was well past his prime, Jake did beat Julio Cesar Chavez Jr - who may have been a faded fighter but was not a total pushover.
He prepared for that bout and was a former titleholder who went the distance with Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez and nearly stopped Sergio 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 so much for female boxing through his Most Valuable Promotions.
But despite his delusion, passion, commitment and improved skills, he ought to be being knocked out by Anthony Joshua.
The Moment Joshua Connects, It Is Finished
Jake and his team are hoping for many things. Banking on AJ is underestimating him, hoping AJ is past his best, hoping AJ's inactivity will cost him, banking on AJ is low in self-belief, hoping AJ's chin has deteriorated.
However, to their misfortune, AJ is extremely focused. He has completed a training camp and he's training like he is facing Oleksandr Usyk or in a potential Dubois rematch.
I anticipate Anthony Joshua to triumph within two rounds via a brutal knockout.
He could hit Jake to the body 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 could intervene.
We don't know exactly how it will unfold but given how AJ throws punches - with the speed and destruction - the instant Jake is hit clean, the contest will end.
Subsequently we go back to AJ's primary objectives he wants to achieve in the remainder he has left in this sport - to face Tyson Fury and to be crowned a three-time heavyweight champion of the world.
