Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua: Predictions from Lennox Lewis, Natasha Jonas, Eddie Hearn and more for heavyweight bout

Anthony Joshua returns to the ring for the first time in 15 months to face Jake Paul on Friday at Kaseya Center in Miami.

In the most unlikeliest of fights, the British two-time heavyweight world champion faces YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul in an eight-round heavyweight bout.

Can Joshua, 36, mark his return in style with a knockout success? Or will 28-year-old American Paul pull off one of the biggest upsets in boxing history?

BBC Sport asks the world of boxing for their predictions.

«The bell rings, Joshua goes out there and throws a jab. Paul is going to be running around, trying to stay away from Joshua’s power.

«Joshua’s going to catch up to him, throw a couple body punches and hard jabs, hard right hands and soften him up.

«Second round, Paul is gone.»

Prediction – Joshua

«If Jake Paul survives the fight, it looks bad for boxing. But if Joshua goes out and does what we hope and think he will, maybe it puts an end to this mockery.

«But there’s no way Jake can run around the ring for eight rounds and not get caught. You are going to get hit, that’s a guarantee in boxing. Can he withstand any type of meaningful shot from Joshua? No.

«Hopefully Joshua just knocks him out within the 10 seconds and everyone who has bought a ticket or ordered the fight will realise that top-level boxing is just a different kettle.»

Prediction – Joshua

«I was shocked at Jake Paul taking this fight – he’s crazy.

«I know AJ well and if he chooses to – you know in a PlayStation game you would hit people and they would disappear? He could disintegrate Jake Paul.

«I have felt AJ’s force, I have felt the power – he’s different level.»

Prediction – Joshua

«I think it might be a bit harder for Joshua to hit Paul clean early on than people think. It should be a one or two round fight.

«If AJ doesn’t hit him clean then I think he chases Paul into the corner and beats him up until the referee jumps in.»

Prediction – Joshua

«A devastating knockout inside two rounds, but it depends how it comes.

«He could hit him to the body and he would break his ribs and he wouldn’t be able to get up. Or if he hits him clean, he’s going to knock him spark out. Or the ref can jump in.

«You just don’t know how that’s going to play out, but the way AJ punches – with the speed of the punches and the destruction he punches with – as soon as Jake Paul is hit on the chin, it’s over.»

Prediction – Joshua

«I think there will be a searching out process in round one, and then I think round two or three Joshua letting his hands go. If Joshua comes out fighting Jake Paul in the same way that he came out against [Francis] Ngannou, then I expect Jake Paul to get knocked out within the first three rounds.»

Prediction – Joshua

«This is like Telford United taking on Manchester United. It’s really dangerous, which far outweighs the rewards.

«Anthony Joshua isn’t the fighter he was, age affects us all, but he’s still among the best in the world and is looking to become a world champion. He can punch like you wouldn’t believe.

«AJ will not hold back and play along and hold him up – no chance. It’s not in his make-up. He’ll be looking to punch a hole in him. AJ is a lovely bloke outside the ring but he can be a nasty person in the ring.

«Jake just best throw the kitchen sink and have a good go, but blimey, this match-up is not good.»

Prediction – Joshua

«If it’s not staged or anything like that, I think we see AJ win in round two by stoppage.»

Prediction – Joshua

«AJ on points, but it shouldn’t be points. He should clean it out in a few minutes or maybe the second round at the latest. But I can just see it going to points, I don’t know why.»

Prediction – Joshua

«I’m into conspiracy theories a little bit. I might have to go with a draw. I just feel like Jake could move around the ring and make it frustrating. He could do that for five or six rounds easy. I don’t think Joshua wants to chase him around the ring. So I think he might give up some rounds and then Jake only then has to make it through two.»

Prediction – draw

«I think Joshua gets him out there in rounds three or four. I don’t think it’s going to be a knock-over job straight away. I don’t think Paul is going to fall to the ground as soon as he gets hit. I think he’ll come prepared. But the second Joshua gets the chance and he sees the vulnerability of Paul, he’ll finish him off. I expect a clinical domination job in the end.»

Prediction – Joshua

«What we see [from Paul] is delusion, but I admire the confidence. It’s one of the most absurd fights. If it went five rounds, I would feel the need to criticise Joshua.»

Prediction – Joshua

«I don’t think anyone could tell you, I honestly cannot say. It’s such an intriguing fight. Anything can happen.»

Prediction: On the fence