George Groves has expressed his belief that Anthony Joshua has been betrayed by boxing promoter Eddie Hearn and suggests that the heavyweight champion should back out of his upcoming fight against Jake Paul.
The former two-time heavyweight world champion is set to face the YouTuber-turned-boxer in Miami, Florida, on Friday night. The bout will consist of eight three-minute rounds with both fighters using 10oz gloves. The fight’s outcome will be recorded on their professional records.
Joshua, who last fought in September 2024 and was defeated by Daniel Dubois, sees this match as an opportunity to gain valuable experience before returning to competitive boxing in 2026.
Groves, a former super-middleweight champion, criticized Hearn for his role in the fight, suggesting that Joshua should withdraw from the event just days before it takes place.
The highly anticipated heavyweight clash between Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul is scheduled for December 19 in Miami, with the fight being streamed live on Netflix. Viewers can access the fight for free with Sky’s £15 Essential TV bundle, which is being promoted as Sky TV’s ‘lowest ever price’.
In a statement to FootItalia, Groves emphasized his disappointment in Hearn, questioning his motives and urging Joshua to reconsider his participation in the fight. He suggested that Joshua should face a more worthy opponent and not compromise his professionalism for financial gain.
Despite the controversy surrounding the event, Joshua remains focused on defeating Paul, stating his intention to dominate the fight. The former world champion is determined to secure a victory and move on to bigger challenges next year, potentially including a showdown with Tyson Fury.