“I think something is going to happen,” Haye said in an interview with The Sun Sports. “A cut or a no contest, a great clash of heads.”
Haye also speculated that Joshua may go into the bout with an undisclosed injury. He questioned Paul’s decision to take up the fight, suggesting that it may indicate inner knowledge about Joshua’s physical condition. Haye did not provide evidence to support the claim.
“Jake Paul could pick anyone else,” Haye said. “Maybe he knows something. Maybe AJ has an injury we don’t know about.”
Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, dismissed those suggestions in recent interviews, saying that Joshua is in strong condition and fully prepared. Hearn has repeatedly said he expects Joshua to end the fight quickly, citing the former heavyweight champion’s strength and experience.
In a media workout held earlier this week, Joshua appeared sharp as he worked the pads, showing speed and poise during his session. No visible signs of injury were evident during the workout. Paul also took part in a public training session, where he focused on controlled combinations and defensive movement.
Paul is coming off a unanimous decision over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. earlier this year. While absorbing periods of pressure during that fight, he was able to control the pace and cover the distance. The victory was another step in his progress against increasingly recognizable opposition.
The match drew attention because of the different paths both fighters took to reach this point. Joshua competed at world title level for years and faced several champions. Paul entered boxing from outside the sport and gradually built his career, taking on more recognized opponents with each fight.
Most predictions favor Joshua based on his experience and punching power. Haye’s comments differed from that view and added another angle to the discussion ahead of the match, which will test whether Paul can find success against the most experienced opponent he has faced so far.
