George Groves has criticized boxing promoter Eddie Hearn, accusing him of betraying Anthony Joshua and suggesting that the heavyweight should withdraw from 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 use 10oz gloves, with the result impacting their professional records.
Despite not having fought since his defeat to Daniel Dubois in September 2024, Joshua views the clash with Paul as an opportunity to gain valuable experience before his return to competitive boxing in 2026. Groves, a former super-middleweight champion, expressed his strong opinion that Hearn’s focus on financial gain has led to a situation where Joshua should reconsider participating in the fight.
The heavyweight showdown between Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul is scheduled for December 19 in Miami and will be available for live streaming on Netflix as part of Sky’s £15 Essential TV bundle. Groves emphasized his disappointment in Hearn’s priorities, suggesting that Joshua should opt for a more deserving opponent rather than engaging in what he perceives as a sell-out event.
Despite some skepticism surrounding the fight, Joshua has vowed to approach it seriously, declaring his intent to dominate his opponent. The former world champion aims to use this fight as a stepping stone towards potential future matchups, including a highly anticipated showdown with Tyson Fury. Joshua’s focus remains on his own performance and meeting the expectations he sets for himself in the sport.