George Groves has expressed his belief that boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has betrayed Anthony Joshua and suggests the heavyweight should opt out of his upcoming fight against Jake Paul.
The former two-time heavyweight champion is set to face the YouTuber-turned-boxer in Miami, Florida, in an eight-round bout where both fighters will wear 10oz gloves, with the match counting towards their professional records.
Joshua, who last fought in September 2024, aims to use this fight as preparation for his return to competitive boxing in 2026 after his knockout loss to Daniel Dubois. Groves, a former super-middleweight champion, criticized Hearn for his handling of the situation, advising Joshua to walk away from the fight just days before the event.
The much-anticipated clash between Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul is scheduled for December 19 in Miami and will be available for live streaming on Netflix, included in Sky’s £15 Essential TV bundle.
In a statement to FootItalia, Groves criticized Hearn for prioritizing financial gain over Joshua’s professional integrity, suggesting that Joshua should reconsider his participation in the fight. Despite the controversy surrounding the event, Joshua remains focused on the bout and has vowed to give his all, with his sights set on potential future matchups, including a showdown with Tyson Fury.
Joshua emphasized his commitment to the sport and his competitive nature, stating his readiness to face any opponent, including Jake Paul, with a strong determination to succeed.