George Groves has expressed his belief that boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has betrayed Anthony Joshua and suggests that the heavyweight champion should opt out of his upcoming match against Jake Paul. The former two-time heavyweight world champion is set to face the YouTuber-turned-boxer in Miami, Florida, in an eight-round bout where both fighters will wear 10oz gloves, with the result impacting their professional records.
Joshua, who has been inactive since his defeat to Daniel Dubois in September 2024, views the fight with Paul as a chance to gain valuable experience before returning to competitive boxing in 2026. Groves, a former super-middleweight champion, criticized Hearn for his handling of the situation and advised Joshua to withdraw from the fight just days before the scheduled event.
The highly anticipated showdown between Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul is scheduled for December 19 in Miami and will be available for live streaming on Netflix as part of Sky’s £15 Essential TV bundle. Groves expressed his disappointment in Hearn’s decision-making, emphasizing that promoters prioritize financial gains over the integrity of the sport.
Despite the controversy surrounding the match, Joshua remains focused on defeating Paul, stating his determination to excel in the ring. The 36-year-old aims to dispatch his opponent swiftly and looks forward to potential future challenges, including a potential bout with Tyson Fury. Joshua emphasized his commitment to his craft, asserting his readiness to deliver a strong performance in the upcoming fight.