Jake Paul vs AJ: Eddie Hearn says Paul vs ‘destructive’ AJ is a ‘real fight’

Matchroom chairman Eddie Hearn has promised that Anthony Joshua will be ‘destructive’ on December 19 when he faces Jake Paul live on Netfix. The promoter spoke to Betfred about the fight everyone is talking about. 

Read on to find out which fighter “could fight for a world title” after this unusual Jake Paul vs AJ encounter.

“Does he really think he can win? The answer is ‘yes he does’.”

Much has been written and said about social media nuisance Paul’s motivation for fighting a two-time heavyweight champion of the world. Money is mentioned frequently, and both men stand to make one hell of a Christmas bonus for the Netflix-backed bout. Attention is something Paul is never short of, but wanting to draw the eyes of the world is another potential incentive for him.

But Hearn posits that a genuine belief Paul can win is the reason this fight is taking place. The Matchroom supremo reckons that, even in the event of a loss, this fight could be the making of ‘The Problem Child’.

“I think this is a calculated decision. People have to give him the respect. ‘You went in there and fought AJ.’ After that he can fight anyone. He could drop down and fight for a cruiserweight world title.”

While Hearn can see a potential Paul title challenge, he is quick to emphasise “Jake Paul is a top-50 cruiserweight in the world, that’s where I think he’s at. So he’s decent. But he’s not world class, that’s my opinion.”

Which would explain Hearn’s assertion that AJ will bring “destructive” tendencies to the Kaseya Center in Miami. “He’s levels above Jake Paul.” It is a view few outside the immediate Paul orbit would argue with. But many sceptics have asserted that all may not be as appears with this fight. 

Read any online comments section discussing this heavyweight clash and you will find the familiar cries of ‘fix’. Accusations that Joshua will ‘carry’ Jake Paul. Not so according to Eddie, who promises “No script. No friendly-friendly. AJ is training like this is one of the toughest fights of his career. He’ll go in there to destroy Jake Paul.”