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 bout with Jake Paul.
The former two-time heavyweight world champion is set to face the YouTuber-turner-boxer in Miami, Florida, on Friday night. The fight will consist of eight three-minute rounds with both fighters wearing 10oz gloves. The outcome of the fight will be recorded in their professional records irrespective of the result.
Joshua has not competed since his loss to Daniel Dubois in September 2024. The match with Paul serves as a chance for Joshua to gain valuable ring time before returning to competitive boxing in 2026.
Groves, a former super-middleweight champion, did not hold back his opinion on the fight. He criticized Hearn for his actions and suggested that Joshua should withdraw from the fight mere days before it takes place.
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, accessible to fans through Sky’s £15 Essential TV bundle, which is being promoted as the lowest price for Sky TV.
Groves voiced his thoughts to FootItalia, stating that promoters are primarily motivated by financial gain rather than the same drive as fighters. He expressed that Joshua should reconsider the fight and face a more deserving opponent, indicating that walking away from the current bout would be the best move.
Despite doubts surrounding the match, Joshua is focused on the fight and has vowed to give his all. He emphasized his determination to win and hinted at future plans, including a potential showdown with Tyson Fury.
Joshua highlighted his commitment to the sport and his readiness to face any challenge, emphasizing his respect for the expectations placed on him while acknowledging his self-imposed standards.