Anthony Joshua delivered a knockout blow to Jake Paul in Miami, ending their highly anticipated bout in the sixth round after a tense and uneven start to the fight.
The former two-time world heavyweight champion had difficulty breaking down the YouTube star in the early stages, but a devastating right hand in round six finally brought the contest to an end, leaving Paul with a broken jaw.
Joshua, who was fighting for the first time since his knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois in September 2024, admitted afterward that his performance was not as sharp as expected. Many had predicted a quicker finish to the eight-round contest at the Kaseya Center.
Paul showed surprising durability, surviving the opening rounds while using movement to frustrate Joshua. The American crowd erupted when Paul landed a clean left hand early on, but Joshua gradually increased the pressure, landing heavier shots in the second round and forcing Paul onto the ropes.
Despite taking punishment, Paul remained defiant, even catching Joshua with an uppercut in the third round and a looping hook in the fourth. However, his resistance began to fade in the fifth round when Joshua sent him to the canvas with a flurry of punches.
The end came in the sixth. Joshua closed in and unleashed a crushing right hand that dropped Paul heavily. Although Paul attempted to stand, the referee stepped in as Joshua followed up with a final, decisive punch.
Speaking after the fight, Joshua praised Paul’s effort while acknowledging his own shortcomings. He said the plan was always to pin Paul down and hurt him, even if it took longer than expected. He also credited Paul for continuing to fight despite the challenge.
Joshua then turned his attention to longtime rival Tyson Fury, calling on him to step into the ring in 2026 and prove himself in what could be a blockbuster showdown.
Paul was later taken to hospital, where scans confirmed his jaw was broken in two places. Despite the injury, he remained upbeat, praising Joshua and expressing confidence that he would return to boxing stronger.
Paul’s promotional team said the injury was common in combat sports and estimated a recovery time of four to six weeks.
