Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has issued a stark caution to Jake Paul against withdrawing from his upcoming heavyweight bout with Anthony Joshua on 19 December in Miami.
The Matchroom Boxing president delivered his message during an interview with The Stomping Ground, addressing mounting online speculation that the 28-year-old American might abandon the contest at Miami's Kaseya Center.
"He can't, because he [would have] pulled out of the fight," Hearn stated firmly.
The promoter emphasised that such a move would undermine Paul's ability to claim he was "signed to face Joshua" in future.
Eddie Hearn has sent Jake Paul a warning over pulling out
| PAThe heavyweight encounter materialised following the cancellation of Paul's scheduled bout with WBA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis, which fell through due to Davis's legal difficulties.
Joshua, 36, returns to action after suffering a devastating knockout loss to Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium whilst challenging for the IBF heavyweight title.
The former two-time world champion has been absent from competition for fourteen months.
Paul declared himself "ready to die" in his quest to "shock the world" during the bout's launch press conference earlier this month.
However, scepticism has emerged across social media platforms regarding whether the YouTube personality-turned-boxer will honour his commitment to face Joshua.
Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua will fight in Miami on December 19 | NETFLIXHearn highlighted the substantial financial commitments made by streaming giant Netflix and Most Valuable Promotions for the event. "Netflix and MVP have spent a lot of money," he said.
"Jake would look like a plonker if he pulled out of the fight now after giving it the big one."
The promotional materials already produced represent significant investment, with Hearn noting that withdrawing "at squeaky-bum time" would be professionally damaging.
"When you see the promos that have been shot for this, to pull out with all the money that's been spent... is not the way forward," he explained.
Despite the pressure, Hearn expressed confidence in Paul's commitment. "I think Jake is game, and he believes he can win," he concluded.
Hearn revealed that Joshua approaches the contest with complete seriousness, dismissing any notion of complacency in his preparation.
Anthony Joshua will face Jake Paul in Miami in December | REUTERS"He's not mucking around here," Hearn affirmed, explaining that the British fighter views this as a genuine challenge requiring proper preparation.
The promoter acknowledged that whilst the bout presents "much less danger" than Joshua's recent heavyweight encounters, any fight carries inherent risks. He stressed that Joshua must maintain weight requirements and deliver a convincing performance.
"He's preparing himself for a real fight," Hearn emphasised, adding that Joshua's focused mindset poses significant problems for Paul.
The champion's dedication throughout his four-week training camp demonstrates his professional approach to the controversial matchup.