'Critics are spot on': Apologetic Eddie Hearn admits people think Anthony Joshua v Jake Paul is 'scripted'. He explains why it isn't
Anthony Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn has taken the unusual step of dispelling rumours the fight with Jake Paul is "scripted" and basically apologising for accepting the bout.
The fight pits the former twice unified heavyweight champion against the social media performer and has attracted its fair share of critics.
Former WBC heavyweight titleholder Deontay Wilder has dismissed it as a "money grab" while some of Joshua's previous opponents have raised concerns for relative novice Paul's safety in the ring against one of boxing's heaviest hitters.
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Yet another prevailing narrative has been around the integrity of the bout and the lack of tickets sold for the event.
Claims of Paul's fights being fixed or his opponents abiding by a script have consistently been tossed about by fans.
And on the eve of the 8x3 minute contest, Hearn seemed apologetic for allowing his fighter to be part of such a show and admitted plenty of people had asked if a "script" was part of the deal.
Anthony Joshua has a major size advantage. Anadolu via Getty Images
"I have no real defence of Anthony Joshua versus Jake Paul. It's crazy that it's happening and I think the critics are spot on," he told the BBC.
"But we just couldn't turn it down. No boxer in their right mind would have said no. Anyone who says they would are completely lying through their teeth.
"We took a fight that we believe will be very straightforward, will give AJ a huge profile in America and one of his career-high paydays."
He added: "So many people have come up to me asking if it's scripted.
"Firstly, we'd be investigated by the FBI if it was. It would be illegal. This is a professional contest and a sanctioned bout where people are betting on it.
"And do you think I would ever allow AJ to have a script with Jake? A script where we might lose or even hold him up and look bad? No way.
"We are not giving this guy an edge or a chance to say 'told you I was better than AJ' or 'I won rounds.'
"This would be catastrophic for AJ and we're not going to risk that.
Paul speaks at a press conference for the fight. Anadolu via Getty Images
"I expect my fighter to win inside two rounds with a devastating knockout.
"He could hit Jake to the body and he would break his ribs and he wouldn't be able to get up.
"If he hits him clean, he will knock him spark out. Or the referee could jump in."
Since first entering the ring in 2020, Paul has amassed a 12-1 record with seven knockout wins. In that time the former YouTuber has fought and beaten other influencers, basketball star Nate Robinson and a host of MMA champions, including Anderson Silva and Tyron Woodley.
Such a record pales in comparison to Joshua, who has fought some of the heavyweight division's greatest champions in Wladimir Klitschko and Oleksandr Usyk. The British veteran is expecting an easy payday.
Asked whether the bout would erode the integrity of the sport, Joshua told Reuters he wasn't paying attention to the criticism.
"I understand from the point of view of pugilist purists this shouldn't be happening", the 36-year-old explained.
Paul defends against Andre August in 2023. Getty
"But God willing I live until I'm 70, I don't want to look back and say, 'I wish I took the opportunity and I didn't do it because the purists said so.'"
The opportunity in question is a prize purse of $50 million ($AUD)75m guaranteed plus bonuses for each fighter, with the spectacle to become only the second boxing event broadcast live on Netflix.
The first fight put on by the streaming giant was Paul's controversial win over heavyweight great Mike Tyson last year, which was also criticised for pushing the boundaries of safety in sport.
Aged 58 at the time of that fight, Tyson had not entered a boxing ring in almost two decades, and squared off against the then 27-year-old Paul after struggling with sciatica and even occasionally using a wheelchair.
Allegations of match-fixing were subsequently raised when Paul claimed he pulled his punches to let the Netflix main event go the distance. Regardless, the Tyson fight became the most streamed sporting event in history.
When is Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua fight?
Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua are set to clash on Saturday, December 20 AEDT.
Where is Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua fight?
The fight between Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua will be held in Miami at the Kaseya Center, home of the NBA's Miami Heat. The arena has a capacity of about 20,000 for boxing events.
What time will Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua fight?
The main card will begin at 12pm AEDT. The ring walks will reportedly take place at 2.30pm AEDT. The fight will begin shortly after.
Joshua is coming off a major loss to Daniel Dubois over a year ago. AAP
How to watch Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua?
The fight will air exclusively on Netflix after Paul's initial bout with Gervonta Davis was called off.
Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua fight rules
Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua are scheduled to fight eight three-minute rounds and wear 10-ounce gloves.
The contest is a professional bout and has been sanctioned by the Florida Athletic Commission.
Dubois lands a mean right hand on Joshua. Getty
Joshua will be required to weigh in the day before the fight at no more than 245lbs (111.13kg). Paul is expected to weigh in at about 220 pounds (99kg).
Odds
Joshua is the overwhelming favourite with most betting agencies listing him at around $1.10. Paul is paying around $7.20.
What is the fight purse?
While it's difficult to get a gauge on how much money is on the line, there are some inflated figures out there.
It was initially reported that Paul and Joshua would evenly split a whopping $AUD 278m fight purse.
Paul has since claimed on social media that the fight will actually be worth $AUD404m, but has provided no evidence to back up that figure.
What's Paul's fight record?
Paul has a pro fight record of 12-1.
His only loss came in February 2023, when he lost to Tommy Fury, the brother of former heavyweight world champion Tyson.
What's Joshua's fight record?
The 36-year-old's fight record is 28-4 and has faced some of best fighters on the planet since he began his pro career in 2013.
FIGHT CARD
Paul vs Joshua
Alicia Baumgardner vs Leila Beaudoin – IBF/WBO/WBA super featherweight titles
Caroline Dubois vs Camilla Panatta – WBC lightweight title
Cherneka Johnson vs Amanda Galle – IBF/WBC/WBO/WBA bantamweight titles
Anderson Silva vs Tyron Woodley – light heavyweight
Yokasta Valle vs Yadira Bustillos – minimum weight
Avious Griffin vs Justin Cardona – welterweight
Jahmal Harvey vs Kevin Cervantes – super featherweight
Keno Marley vs Diarra Davis Jr – cruiserweight
- with Reuters
