George Groves has expressed his belief that boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has betrayed Anthony Joshua and thinks the heavyweight champion should opt out of his upcoming fight with 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 with 10oz gloves. The fight’s outcome will officially impact both fighters’ professional records.
Joshua, who last fought in a knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in September 2024, sees this match as a chance to prepare for his return to competitive boxing in 2026.
Groves, a former super-middleweight champion, criticized Hearn for his handling of Joshua’s career, suggesting that Joshua should withdraw from the fight just days before the event.
The heavyweight clash between Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul is scheduled for December 19 in Miami. The fight will be available for live streaming on Netflix as part of Sky’s £15 Essential TV bundle promotion.
In an interview with FootItalia, Groves criticized Hearn for prioritizing financial gains over Joshua’s professional integrity and suggested that Joshua should walk away from the fight.
Despite the controversy surrounding the matchup, Joshua is focused on defeating his opponent, stating his commitment to giving his best in the ring and looking forward to potential future fights, including a possible showdown with Tyson Fury.
Joshua emphasized his competitive nature, expressing his readiness to face any challenger and his dedication to the sport of boxing.