Anthony Joshua delivered a decisive statement in Miami, knocking out Jake Paul in the sixth round of their highly anticipated crossover bout.
The British two-time world heavyweight champion finally broke through Paul’s resistance with a thunderous right hand that ended the contest and left the YouTuber-turned-boxer with a broken jaw.
Speaking in the ring afterwards, Joshua was candid in his assessment. “It wasn’t the best performance,” he told Netflix.
“The end goal was to get Jake Paul, pin him down, and hurt him.
“That has been the request and that was on my mind. Took a bit longer than expected but the right hand found the destination.”
Anthony Joshua
The fight, streamed globally on Netflix, had drawn intense interest due to the contrast in backgrounds between Joshua, an established heavyweight star, and Paul, whose boxing career has been built largely against non-traditional opponents.
While Joshua ultimately prevailed emphatically, the bout was more competitive in its early stages than many observers had predicted.
Early Rounds Test Joshua’s Patience
Joshua, returning after a 15-month lay-off, initially struggled to pin down the elusive Paul, who used movement and determination to survive the opening rounds.
Paul absorbed pressure and managed to avoid sustained damage early on, frustrating the former world champion as he searched for openings.
Despite Joshua’s clear physical advantage and experience, Paul exceeded expectations by making it through the early rounds. The American showed resilience and composure, even as Joshua gradually increased the tempo and began to find his range.
That persistence, however, could not last indefinitely against a fighter of Joshua’s calibre.
The decisive moment came in the sixth round when Joshua landed a huge right hand that instantly changed the complexion of the fight. Paul was unable to continue after the impact, which later scans confirmed had broken his jaw in two places.
The knockout brought a definitive end to the contest and reaffirmed Joshua’s power at heavyweight, even if the performance was not without its imperfections.
Joshua Praises Paul’s Grit and Determination
Rather than dismissing his opponent, Joshua was generous in his post-fight appraisal of Paul’s effort. He acknowledged the toughness and persistence Paul displayed throughout the bout.
“Jake Paul has done really well tonight, I want to give him his props.
“He got up, time and time again. It was difficult in there for him, but he kept on trying to find a way through.”
Anthony Joshua
Joshua emphasized the gap between a seasoned professional and a developing fighter, while still showing respect.
“You have to give Jake his respect for trying, trying and trying. But he came up against a real fighter tonight that’s had a 15-month lay-off.”
Anthony Joshua
Paul Hospitalised but Remains Defiant
Paul was taken to hospital following the fight, later sharing scans that revealed his jaw had been broken in two places. Despite the seriousness of the injury, he struck an upbeat and defiant tone in his immediate post-fight comments.
“I’m feeling good, that was fun, I love this sport. “Anthony is a great fighter and I got beat but that’s what this sport is about.”
He insisted that boxing has already enriched his life beyond results. “I have already won in every way of life. This sport has helped me so much,” he said, before acknowledging the injury. “I think my jaw is broken. It’s definitely broke but man, that was good.”
Even in defeat, Paul made it clear that he has no intention of walking away from the ring. The 27-year-old expressed belief that he can still reach the top level of the sport.
“I’m going to come back and get a world championship belt at some point,” he said. Reflecting on the fight’s conclusion, Paul added: “I just got tired, to be honest. He did amazing and hits really hard.”
Paul did not attend the post-fight press conference as he sought medical treatment, but his promoter played down long-term concerns.
Promoters Play Down Injury Concerns
Nikisa Bidarian, CEO of Most Valuable Promotions, confirmed that Paul’s condition was stable. “He’s fine. He drove himself to the hospital,” Bidarian said. “A broken jaw’s very common in sports, particularly in boxing or MMA.”
According to Bidarian, early medical advice suggests a recovery period of four to six weeks, potentially allowing Paul to return to training later in the year.
With the Paul bout behind him, Joshua’s focus is expected to shift back to elite heavyweight competition. He has already signalled his intention to target a long-awaited clash with fellow British star Tyson Fury, a fight that would rank among the biggest in boxing history.
While questions remain about Joshua’s sharpness after his time away, the knockout win restores momentum and sets the stage for high-profile negotiations. For now, Joshua leaves Miami with a victory secured, his power reaffirmed, and the heavyweight division once again firmly in his sights.
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