The aftermath of the high-profile crossover boxing match between Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul has sparked intense debate, with accusations of the fight being scripted flooding social media. However, promoter Eddie Hearn has issued a forceful rebuttal, pointing to the severe injury suffered by Jake Paul as undeniable proof of the bout's authenticity.
‘A Broken Jaw Is Not Something You Fake’: Hearn’s Blunt Response
Following the fight, which was streamed globally on Netflix on 19 December 2025, a clip of Hearn's comments, shared by journalist Ariel Helwani, went viral. Hearn addressed the conspiracy theories head-on, expressing frustration at what he perceives as a casual online attitude towards serious boxing injuries. He argued that a jaw broken in two places is not an injury a fighter would fake or risk for the sake of a pre-determined storyline.
Hearn stressed that many fans underestimate the severity of a fractured mandible, often assuming it can be simply wired shut for a quick return. In reality, he highlighted, such injuries have ended careers. “Jake Paul may never be able to fight again,” Hearn stated, noting this grim possibility has been lost in the noise of unfounded claims. Recovery from such fractures involves weeks of healing and carries long-term risks like nerve damage and chronic pain, making a return to the ring highly uncertain.
No Script, Just a Decisive Knockout
Beyond the injury, Hearn firmly rejected any notion of a script or informal agreement between the camps. He dismissed suggestions that rounds were pre-planned or that Anthony Joshua was instructed to delay the finish for dramatic effect. According to Hearn, the strategy was straightforward: win as cleanly and quickly as possible.
He explained that while Joshua aimed to land decisive shots early, he only managed to connect fully in the sixth round. When that punch landed, the result was immediate—a knockout that left Paul with significant damage. “There was never any deal, any script,” Hearn asserted. “We’re not actors here.” He framed the sixth-round finish not as choreography, but as the natural outcome of a dangerous mismatch once a world-class heavyweight like Joshua found his mark.
The Broader Debate in Influencer Boxing
This controversy underscores a persistent tension in the world of influencer boxing. As these crossover events attract massive global audiences, every result faces intense scrutiny. Supporters point to visible, serious injuries like Paul's as evidence the fights are real. Skeptics, however, believe commercial incentives inevitably influence what happens inside the ring.
In the case of Joshua vs. Paul, opinion remains split. Some online commentators insist Joshua carried Paul to extend the entertainment value. Others contend that a potentially career-threatening injury is the most compelling evidence that the contest was a genuine athletic competition. For Eddie Hearn and the fighters' camps, the physical cost paid by Jake Paul is the final, brutal word on the matter.
