Eddie Hearn, the promoter for Anthony Joshua, has issued a direct and public warning to Jake Paul about the severe repercussions of withdrawing from their impending mega-money heavyweight showdown. The fight, which is expected to generate a combined purse of £140 million for the two fighters, has been clouded by growing online speculation that the YouTuber-turned-boxer may be getting cold feet.
Hearn's Public Ultimatum to 'The Problem Child'
In a stark message aimed directly at Jake Paul, Hearn stated that backing out of the lucrative contest would cost him more than just money. The promoter emphasised that if Paul pulled out, he would forfeit the right to ever "boast that he was signed to face Joshua" in the future. This warning comes despite Paul's previous dramatic declaration that he was "ready to die" in his bid to shock the world by defeating the former unified world champion.
Hearn also highlighted the significant financial investment already made by broadcast partner Netflix and Paul's own promotional outfit, Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), to arrange and market the event. The promoter claimed that a withdrawal at this stage would make Paul look like a "plonker" after all the fanfare, severely damaging his public image and credibility in the sport.
The Stakes: Size, Timing, and Seriousness
The bout is a sanctioned heavyweight contest, representing a monumental leap in size and competition for Jake Paul, who has historically fought at much lower weights. The vast physical disparity between the two men is a key factor fuelling rumours that Paul may be having second thoughts about challenging the far larger and more experienced Joshua.
However, Hearn pointed to one factor that might encourage Paul to proceed: timing. Anthony Joshua is returning after 14 months of inactivity, and Hearn noted that if there was ever an opportune moment to face the British star, "it's probably now". Despite the unconventional nature of the event, Hearn confirmed that Joshua is preparing meticulously in training camp, treating it as a "real fight" and not underestimating Paul as a joke opponent.
Internal Belief Keeps Fight on Track
Despite the overwhelming risk, Eddie Hearn believes that Jake Paul's own self-confidence is the primary reason the fight is still expected to go ahead as planned. The promoter reckons Paul is genuinely "game" and sincerely believes he can win the unlikely match-up. This internal conviction from the social media superstar appears to be the counterbalance to the intense speculation and the daunting challenge that awaits him in the ring against a focused Anthony Joshua.
The fight, set to be a major pay-per-view event distributed by Netflix, continues to dominate combat sports headlines as fans await confirmation that both men will indeed go toe-to-toe for the reported nine-figure purse.
