George Groves has expressed his belief that boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has betrayed Anthony Joshua and suggests that the heavyweight should consider stepping away from his upcoming bout with Jake Paul.
The former two-time heavyweight champion is scheduled to face the YouTuber-turned-boxer in Miami, Florida, on Friday night in an eight-round match where both fighters will wear 10oz gloves. The fight’s outcome will be reflected in their professional records.
Despite not competing since his defeat to Daniel Dubois in September 2024, Joshua views the fight with Paul as a chance to gain valuable experience before his return to competitive boxing in 2026.
Groves, a former super-middleweight champion, criticized Hearn, claiming that his focus on financial gain has led Joshua astray and suggesting that Joshua should withdraw from the fight just days before the event.
The highly anticipated clash between Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul is set for December 19 in Miami, with the fight available for streaming on Netflix. Groves shared his thoughts with FootItalia, expressing disappointment in Hearn’s priorities and suggesting that Joshua should seek a more worthy opponent.
Despite the skepticism surrounding the fight, Joshua is determined to approach it seriously, vowing to give his all against Paul and looking ahead to future challenges, including a potential showdown with Tyson Fury.
Joshua emphasized his commitment to the sport, stating his readiness to face any opponent with a killer instinct. He acknowledges the expectations placed on him but remains focused on delivering in the ring.