In a highly anticipated but widely debated boxing event at the Kaseya Center in Miami on Friday night, former two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua defeated YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul with a sixth-round knockout, ending one of the most talked-about mismatches in recent years. The bout, streamed live on Netflix and watched by millions, was scheduled for eight rounds but rarely resembled a competitive fight. After cautious early rounds, Joshua began to impose his superior skill and size, repeatedly hurting Paul and scoring multiple knockdowns before sealing the victory.
Joshua, 36, controlled large stretches of the fight behind his jab and power punches, gradually wearing Paul down. In the fifth round, Joshua dropped Paul twice with hard combinations, showcasing his experience and punching precision. Early in the sixth round, Joshua unleashed a decisive combination, flooring Paul and prompting referee Christopher Young to stop the fight at 1 minute 31 seconds. The stoppage marked the end of Paul’s bid to pull off a historic upset against one of the sport’s established heavyweights.
Paul, 28, was transported to a hospital after the fight and later confirmed via social media that he suffered a double jaw fracture, a significant injury that will sideline him for several weeks. His promoter indicated that Paul is expected to recover in roughly four to six weeks. Joshua, improving his record to 29–4 with 26 knockouts, said his performance was not perfect but reflected his tactical patience. He used the victory to issue a challenge to retired rival Tyson Fury, suggesting that bigger fights could be next on his agenda.
The fight drew mixed responses from fans and boxing analysts. Some criticized the pacing and tactics, arguing that Paul’s movement made key moments less engaging, while others appreciated his resilience in lasting into the later rounds before the stoppage. Despite the critique of competitiveness, the event delivered a clear and emphatic result in favor of the veteran Joshua, reasserting the skill gap between elite professionals and crossover challengers.
English