Anthony Joshua eventually ended Jake Paul’s brave but outmatched challenge after catching the YouTuber-turned-boxer with a devastating right hand that left him with a double fractured jaw.
The highly anticipated crossover bout took place at the Kaseya Center in Miami, drawing global attention after being streamed to Netflix’s 300 million subscribers. While many expected a quick finish, Paul surprised critics by surviving six rounds against the former two-time heavyweight world champion.
Paul Earns Respect Despite Brutal Defeat
Despite the glaring size, power, and experience gap, Paul’s willingness to step into the ring with an Olympic gold medallist earned widespread praise from boxing figures.
Chris Eubank Jr was among those applauding Paul’s determination, noting that regardless of the outcome, simply sharing the ring with Joshua was something most would never dare to attempt.
Paul later confirmed the severity of his injuries with a trademark social media post, joking: “Double broken jaw. Give me Canelo in 10 days.”
Joshua: “A Win, But Not a Success”
While Joshua claimed the stoppage victory, he was far from satisfied with his performance.
Speaking after the fight, the British heavyweight admitted he expected more from himself and his team, insisting the win should not be overcelebrated.
> “It’s a win, but it’s not a success. I needed to do better. I can’t live off this. I’ve got a lot of improvement to make,” Joshua said.
He also revealed he wished he had finished the fight earlier, while still acknowledging Paul’s courage and refusal to quit after being knocked down.
Fight Stats Highlight the Mismatch
CompuBox statistics underlined the difference in class and output:
Joshua threw 146 punches, landing 48
Paul threw 56 punches, landing just 16
Joshua significantly increased pressure in Round 5, scoring two knockdowns
The fight ended after a powerful sixth-round barrage
Paul managed only nine power punches across the entire contest.
Promoters Hail “Historic Moment”
Most Valuable Promotions, co-founded by Paul, described the event as a “historic moment for the sport”, citing its massive global reach and crossover appeal. Viewing figures are expected to be closely scrutinised given Netflix’s involvement.
What’s Next for Both Fighters?
Joshua hinted at a busy 2026 and even floated potential big-name opponents for Paul should he choose to continue boxing, including Gervonta Davis or Ryan Garcia.
Meanwhile, promoter Eddie Hearn suggested Joshua could return to the ring as early as spring, with long-term plans still pointing toward a Tyson Fury mega-fight.
Reaction Rolls In
Former world champion Tony Bellew claimed “everyone won” from the spectacle, stressing the importance that Paul avoided permanent injury.
Even US President Donald Trump weighed in, praising Paul’s courage against a much larger and more experienced opponent.
