Hearn – on Criticism of Joshua’s Fight with Jake: “Do You Think Lennox Lewis Would Have Said ‘No’?”

Eddie Hearn, head of Matchroom Boxing and promoter of British former Heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua, reacted to the words of Lennox Lewis, who called his client's fight with Jake Paul a mistake.

“All these people talk such rubbish, including Lennox. Do you seriously think that Lennox Lewis, receiving an offer at the end of his career with one of the biggest paydays of his life — for a fight with Jake Paul on the biggest platform in boxing — would have said ‘no’?

Come on, seriously, sometimes people just need to stop and think. It’s like with Froch — just sit down and think. Lennox Lewis, like everyone else, loves money. He has a great legacy, and for AJ his legacy is also very important.

Look at what this opportunity gives us: an interim fight, a heap of money, and the biggest profile we have ever had. If he looks good, he will come out of this fight as the biggest star in boxing. People say: ‘Oh no, I wouldn’t take that.’ Oh, shut up. Shut up. He is here, working on Netflix and getting paid for it. Do you understand what I mean? That’s it. It’s just ridiculous,” stated Hearn.

The bout between Anthony Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs) and Jake Paul (12-1, 7 KOs) will take place on the night of December 20 in Miami, USA, and will be broadcast on Netflix via standard subscription. You can check the start times of the fight in different regions at the link.