In one of the most anticipated – and controversial – boxing events of the year, former two-time unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua emphatically shut down Jake Paul’s crossover ambitions with a sixth-round knockout victory last night at the Kaseya Center. The fight, streamed live exclusively on Netflix, saw Joshua dominate the later rounds, dropping the YouTuber-turned-boxer multiple times before a devastating right hand ended the contest.
How the Fight Unfolded
The bout started cautiously, with Paul employing a hit-and-run strategy, circling the ring and avoiding direct engagements to frustrate the heavier and more experienced Joshua. For the first four rounds, action was sparse – Paul landed sparingly while Joshua struggled to cut off the ring effectively after a 15-month layoff.
But as Paul’s cardio began to fade, Joshua turned up the pressure. In the fifth round, “AJ” floored Paul twice with powerful shots, visibly hurting the influencer. Paul showed heart by rising each time, even sticking out his tongue in defiance, but the writing was on the wall.
The end came at 1:31 of the sixth when Joshua trapped Paul in the corner and unleashed a monstrous overhand right that sent Paul crumbling to the canvas. The referee waved it off immediately as Paul struggled to regain his footing.
Post-Fight Drama: Broken Jaw and Hospital Visit
In a gritty post-fight interview, a bloodied Jake Paul revealed the extent of the damage: “I think my jaw is broken, by the way… It’s definitely broken.” Paul skipped the press conference and was taken to the hospital for treatment. Reports confirm a fractured jaw, with recovery expected to take 4-6 weeks.
Despite the loss – his first by knockout and dropping his record to 12-2 – Paul remained defiant: “Anthony’s a great fighter. I got my ass beat, but that’s what this sport is about. I’m going to come back and keep on winning… We’re going to heal the broken jaw, then come back and fight people my weight and go for the cruiserweight world title.”
Joshua (now 29-4), while admitting it “wasn’t my best performance,” praised Paul’s resilience: “Jake has spirit, he has some heart. He tried his best.” The Brit then called out longtime rival Tyson Fury: “Put down your Twitter fingers and come fight me.”
Why This Fight Captured the World
The matchup drew massive attention due to the stark contrast: Paul’s entertainment-driven rise against elite opposition versus Joshua’s pedigree as an Olympic gold medalist and heavyweight king. Critics called it a mismatch, but the spectacle delivered viral moments, record viewership, buzz on Netflix, and endless memes.
Paul’s undefeated streak against “real boxers” is over, but his ability to draw eyes remains unmatched. For traditional boxing fans, Joshua’s win felt like a restoration of order.
What’s next? Joshua eyes big heavyweight clashes in 2026, possibly with Fury. Paul plans a hiatus before targeting cruiserweight gold.
One thing’s clear: Last night’s chaos in Miami will be talked about for years.
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