JAKE PAUL “may never fight again” after his jaw was broken in two places by Anthony Joshua, according to Eddie Hearn.
The YouTuber was brutally KO’d by the two-time heavyweight champion of the world during their farcical Netflix bout on Friday night.
AJ unleashed a devastating combination that ended with an explosive right to send Paul to the canvas.
Paul revealed after the fight he had suffered a broken jaw and drove himself to hospital.
He even claimed he was unable to eat for a week but still vowed to return to boxing to compete for titles.
But Hearn has given a gloomy forecast for Paul’s career after being asked by Ariel Helwani about claims the fight was fixed.
Hearn replied: “You do know that he’s broken his jaw in two places?”
“He may never be able to fight again. People just think, ‘Oh, you just get your jaw wired, bolted together by a couple of screws, and on you go.’
“There have been many fighters who have had their jaws broken that never boxed again.”
“We’re not actors here. It was one hundred per cent real, there was never any strategy, any deal, any script.
Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua – latest reaction
Jake Paul down four times before Anthony Joshua wins
Anthony Joshua beat Jake Paul in a Netflix superfight in Miami – but viewing fans were not impressed with what they saw.
The two-time heavyweight champion was expected to steamroll the former YouTuber but it took him SIX rounds to get rid of the game American.
Paul was down four times in the fight but fans, commentators and even the referee criticised the pair for a lack of action and punches thrown.
Joshua called out Tyson Fury after the fight while Paul revealed he had suffered a gruesome broken jaw.
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“AJ wanted to land clean as soon as possible. Unfortunately the only time he landed really clean was in the sixth round.”
Paul revealed shocking X-ray photos of his jaw to show the double break – but still said “give me Canelo in 10 days”.
He hailed the medical team that took care of him in a message on social media:
“Just got out of surgery. Everything went smooth. Thanks for all the love. Lots of pain and stiffness.
“Gotta eat liquids for 7 days S/o to the amazing team at Miami University hospital. Everyone was so gracious and caring.”
His promoter Nikisa Bidarian believes he will recover in the next four to six weeks and said broken jaws were “very common in sports – particularly in boxing and MMA”.
But former boxer Chris Algieri claimed Paul’s injury was potentially “catastrophic” and predicted a lengthy lay-off.
He told Boxing Scene: “It’s a very bad injury. A double fracture on both sides, you’re going to lose teeth there too.
“He’s going to be out of the ring for a while. He’s been busy and putting on big shows, sometimes twice a year.
“He’s going to take some time off but we’ll see how that jaw comes together because that’s a catastrophic injury.”
The injury was so bad that Joshua was forced to apologise to Paul’s mum after spotting her in the ring after the fight.
