George Groves has voiced his opinion that boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has betrayed Anthony Joshua and suggests that the heavyweight should back out of his upcoming fight against Jake Paul. The former two-time heavyweight world champion is slated to face the YouTuber-turned-boxer in Miami, Florida, on Friday night in an eight-round bout wearing 10oz gloves, with the result impacting their professional records.
Joshua has been inactive since his defeat to Daniel Dubois in September 2024 and views the fight with Paul as an opportunity to gain crucial ring time before his return to competitive boxing in 2026. Groves, a former super-middleweight champion, criticized Hearn for his handling of the situation and advised Joshua to walk away from the fight just days before it takes place.
The heavyweight clash between Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul is set for December 19 in Miami, airing live on Netflix as part of Sky’s £15 Essential TV bundle offer. Groves expressed his disappointment in Hearn’s decision-making, emphasizing that promoters prioritize financial gain over the fighters’ interests. He suggested that Joshua should seek a more worthy opponent, echoing sentiments that the upcoming bout is beneath the former world champion.
Despite doubts surrounding the fight, Joshua is determined to approach it seriously and has vowed to give his all against Paul. The 36-year-old fighter aims to dominate the novice boxer and looks forward to potential future matchups, including a possible showdown with Tyson Fury. Joshua emphasized his commitment to his craft and his readiness to rise to the occasion, highlighting his respect for the sport and acknowledging the expectations placed upon him.
