Anthony Joshua delivered a decisive sixth-round knockout of YouTuber Jake Paul at Miami’s Kaseya Center, a 19,600-seat arena, on Friday night.
Fight Highlights
Joshua showcased his power, dropping Paul four times. After the fifth-round double knockdowns, Joshua landed a right uppercut early in the sixth, followed by a head combination that floored Paul again. The referee, Christopher Young, counted the bout to a TKO at 1:31 of the round. Joshua, 29-4 with 26 KOs, finished Paul, 12-2.
Joshua’s Perspective
“It took a little bit longer than expected but the right hand finally found its destination,” Joshua said. “Jake Paul’s done really well tonight. I’m going to give him his props. He got up time and time again. I give Jake the respect for trying and trying. He came up against a real fighter tonight.”
Paul’s Response
Paul, who weighed 216 pounds, admitted he was “gonna be a wreck” after the fight. He later reported that his jaw was broken in two spots. “I gave it my all,” he said. “Anthony is a great fighter and I got my (rear end) kicked but that what this sport is all about. But I’m going to come back and keep winning.”
Context and Aftermath
The bout was Joshua’s first since Daniel Dubois knocked him out in five rounds in September 2024. With the victory, Joshua can now aim to reclaim the heavyweight title he lost to Oleksandr Usyk and has hinted at a long-discussed match with former champion Tyson Fury, who is currently retired after consecutive losses to Usyk in 2024.
The undercard featured retired UFC champion Anderson Silva, who scored a second-round TKO against Tyron Woodley. The crowd also included golf champion Rory McIlroy, New York Mets slugger Juan Soto, Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy, and retired NFL receivers Michael Irvin and Brandon Marshall.
Key Takeaways
- Joshua knocked out Paul in the sixth round, dropping him four times.
- Paul sustained a double-spot broken jaw and will seek a comeback.
- The win positions Joshua to pursue the heavyweight title and a potential fight with Tyson Fury.
Anthony Joshua’s emphatic victory marks a significant step in his comeback journey, reasserting his status as a top heavyweight contender.
