Eddie Hearn has admitted that Anthony Joshua's fight with Jake Paul going the distance would be 'embarrassing' for the Briton as their Miami showdown rapidly approaches.
In the early hours of Saturday morning, millions from around the world are expected to tune in to watch the action unfold - with Joshua the overwhelming favourite.
The 36-year-old has been absent from the ring ever since losing to Daniel Dubois at Wembley back in September 2024, in what was one of the worst performances of his illustrious career.
However, as a two-time world champion, Joshua will still enter his clash with Paul with few expecting him to lose.
Hearn, writing for the BBC, has defended the bout. Paul is a polarising figure and, as a former YouTuber, has many critics both inside and outside of the sport.
And Hearn has also admitted that Joshua will need to beat his rival, fast, to make sure he doesn't tarnish any of his legacy.
The boxing promoter wrote: "We have a clear strategy in mind - to knock Jake out ASAP. Then we go into normal service being resumed in 2026.
Eddie Hearn has admitted that Anthony Joshua's fight with Jake Paul going the distance would be 'embarrassing' for the Briton as their Miami showdown rapidly approaches
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"AJ will fight against a world-class opponent in February and - if all goes well - he will then fight Tyson Fury.
"So there's a method to this madness and taking this fight does not affect AJ's legacy. But losing to Jake or it even going the distance would.
"It would be an absolute disaster and awfully embarrassing."
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He has fought 13 times since turning professional back in 2020, with a defeat to Tommy Fury in 2023 the only time he's failed to come out on top.
He has managed seven knockouts so far, too, and is confident he's got what it takes to topple Joshua despite the Watford-born star's vast experience.
Hearn, however, just can't see it.
"I've heard the likes of Roy Jones Jr and Teddy Atlas saying you can't count Jake out in this fight. Am I losing the plot here? Is there something they're seeing that I'm not?" he added.
"Let's get one thing right - Jake is a professional boxer. I think he's a decent cruiserweight - top 60 or 70 in the world.
Anthony Joshua is already five inches taller than Jake Paul and has a near 50-pound weight advantage | PA"This isn't a guy who has never laced a pair of gloves before. He can whack a little bit.
"He's sparring Lawrence Okolie and top-10 heavyweights.
"Forgetting the win over Mike Tyson, who was an old man, Jake did beat Julio Cesar Chavez Jr - who may have been a done fighter but was not a complete mug.
"Chavez Jr trained for the fight and was a former world champion who went to points with Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez and nearly stopped Sergio Martinez in the final round.
"So I actually credit Jake for training hard and showing respect to the craft of boxing, and he has done so much for women's boxing with his Most Valuable Promotions.
"But despite his delusion, passion, dedication and improved skills, he should be getting iced by Joshua."