I've got no substantial justification for AJ vs. Jake Paul. It's insane that it's happening and I feel the naysayers are correct.
However, we simply could not reject it. No fighter in their right mind would have said no. Anybody claiming they would is utterly dishonest outright.
We accepted a bout that we believe will be extremely easy, will give AJ an enormous profile in the United States and among the highest paydays.
The Strategy For This Bout
AJ was going to have a run-out fight this November in Saudi - an eight-round contest against a guy who was ranked around 100th in the world heavyweight rankings.
It was a chance to get his hands wrapped by his fresh training team, make the ringwalk and get some rounds in. Now, we're doing that same run-out however for about fifty times the purse.
We have an obvious strategy planned - to knock Jake Paul out asap. Then, we go into regular business resuming next year.
Joshua will box versus a world-class opponent in February and - if all goes well - he will then fight Fury.
So there's a method behind this craziness and accepting this fight will not harm Joshua's legacy. However losing to Paul or the fight even going the full distance certainly would.
It would be an absolute disaster and awfully humiliating.
Paul vs Joshua Is Definitely Not Scripted
A great many people have asked me asking whether it's fixed. Firstly, we'd be investigated by the FBI if it was. It would be illegal. This is a professional fight and a sanctioned bout where fans are wagering.
And does anyone believe I would ever allow AJ to have a pre-written plan involving Jake? A plan in which we could lose or even make him look bad? Absolutely not.
We are certainly not giving this opponent an edge or an opportunity to say "told you I am superior to AJ" or "I took rounds from him". This would be catastrophic for AJ and we will not take that risk.
Public Pressure for a Early Knockout
There are also those saying if Anthony Joshua does not stop him in the first round then it is an embarrassment.
He is expected to walk through this guy but, goodness, allow him two to three rounds just in case. Because how Jake approaches it will determine the speed of destruction.
Should he come forward, it will end quickly. However if he is boxing on the back foot and trying to clinch and stick and move, then he might survive a couple of rounds.
We're not going to see AJ run across the squared circle in the first few seconds and start windmilling.
Just like his approach against Francis Ngannou, he will step into the ring, size him up and then go in with the heavy artillery.
Paul Can Whack Somewhat
I've heard figures like Roy Jones and Teddy Atlas saying you can't count Jake out in this fight. Am I going crazy ? Is there something they're seeing that I am missing?
Let us be one thing clear - Jake is a professional boxer. I believe he is a respectable cruiserweight - ranked in the top 70 globally.
This is not an individual that has not laced a pair of gloves before. He can punch a little bit. He's sparring Okolie and top-10 big men.
Putting aside the win over Mike Tyson, who was an old man, Jake did beat Chavez Jr - who may have been a done fighter but was not a total pushover.
He trained for that bout and was a former titleholder who went to points with Canelo Alvarez and nearly stopped Martinez late in the fight.
So I give credit to Jake for training hard and demonstrating respect for the sport of boxing and he has done so much for women's boxing through his Most Valuable Promotions.
Yet despite his delusion, passion, dedication and improved skills, he should be being knocked out by Joshua.
The Moment Joshua Connects, It's Over
Paul and his camp are hoping for a lot of factors. Banking on AJ is underestimating him, banking on AJ is past his best, hoping AJ's inactivity will cost him, banking on AJ is low in confidence, banking on AJ's durability has deteriorated.
But, unfortunately for them, AJ is super switched on. He's had a camp and he is preparing like he is facing Oleksandr Usyk or in a potential Daniel Dubois second fight.
I expect my fighter to win inside two rounds via a brutal KO.
A shot to Jake Paul to the body and he would break his rib cage and he would be unable to get up.
If he hits him clean, he will put him spark out. Or could intervene.
We don't know how it could play out however with the way AJ punches - with the speed and power - the instant Jake is hit on the chin, the contest will end.
Then we go back to AJ's two goals he aims to accomplish in the time he has left in this sport - to fight Tyson Fury and to be crowned a three-time world heavyweight champion.
