Eddie Hearn Admits to Misleading Jake Paul‘s Team Over Anthony Joshua‘s Weight Ahead of December bout
Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed he deliberately overstated Anthony Joshua’s weight during negotiations for the upcoming fight against Jake Paul, securing a weight limit favorable to the British heavyweight. The bout, scheduled for December 19th at the Kaseya Center in Miami and streamed live on Netflix, will be a professional contest of eight three-minute rounds.
The revelation centers on a strategic maneuver by Hearn to navigate weight stipulations demanded by Paul’s Most Valuable promotions (MVP). While Joshua has recently weighed in over 250lb (17st 12lb) in his previous three fights, he has agreed to weigh under 245lb (17st 7lb) for this contest. This concession came after MVP requested Joshua accept a weight disadvantage, with Paul expected to weigh between 220lb (15st 10lb) and 225lb (16st 1lb). The agreement impacts Joshua’s preparation, as he’s historically not cut weight before a fight.
Hearn disclosed that he inflated Joshua’s current weight during discussions with MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian. “I spoke to AJ and he was sitting at 265lb (18st 13lb) or something like that. I think I told Nakisa that he was 290lb (20st) or something like that,” Hearn told the 5 Live Boxing podcast.
The weight agreement followed initial discussions regarding fight length and glove size. Hearn stated he rejected proposals for “balloon gloves and two-minute rounds,” emphasizing his desire for a legitimate boxing match. “I said I’m not interested in balloon gloves and two-minute rounds but he said it was a real fight. I asked if it was 10 rounds or eight rounds - they said fine to eight,” Hearn explained.
MVP’s rationale for the weight request, according to Hearn, wasn’t to gain a critically important advantage, but to ensure Joshua faced a challenge. “They said, ‘look we’re not being funny and it’s not that we need an advantage but we need you to have some disadvantage’.” Both fighters will use regulation 10oz gloves. The fight pits former two-time unified heavyweight champion Joshua against the YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul, a former Disney Channel actor who has successfully transitioned into the professional boxing world.
