Miami, United States – December 2025 – Former heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua ended the much-hyped but widely criticised crossover bout against Jake Paul with a sixth-round stoppage at Miami’s Kaseya Center, bringing a surreal and controversial night of boxing to a decisive conclusion.
Joshua, vastly more experienced and powerful, knocked Paul down four times across six rounds, eventually landing a clean and crushing right hand that left the YouTuber-turned-boxer unable to beat the referee’s count. While the result was never in doubt, the contest reignited debate about fighter safety and the growing trend of celebrity boxing spectacles.
Joshua Breaks Down a Defensive Paul
For much of the fight, Paul adopted a survival-first strategy, circling the ring, refusing prolonged exchanges, and attempting to frustrate the two-time world champion. Joshua cut a visibly irritated figure early on, swinging heavy shots that often failed to land as Paul danced away and played to the crowd.
Despite boos from sections of the 20,000-strong audience, Paul’s evasive tactics delayed the inevitable. The American landed just six punches in the opening three rounds, while Joshua struggled to pin him down cleanly.
“It wasn’t the best performance,” Joshua admitted afterwards. “The goal was to pin Jake Paul down and hurt him. It took a bit longer than expected, but the right hand finally found the destination.”
Knockdowns Come as Pressure Tells
The fight turned decisively in the fifth round, when Joshua finally cut off the ring and connected with a right hand that sent Paul to the canvas. Moments later, a follow-up combination dropped him again, leaving the novice boxer visibly shaken and gasping for air.
Paul hit the canvas once more early in the sixth round before Joshua delivered the finishing blow — a straight right hand that landed flush and ended the contest. The referee waved off the fight as Paul lay motionless, prompting audible relief inside the arena when he eventually rose and exited the ring unassisted.
A Predictable Outcome Raises Safety Concerns
The bout was billed as one of the most unusual matchups in boxing history, pitting a former unified heavyweight champion against a fighter with fewer than a dozen professional bouts and no elite-level experience. The two-stone weight difference, combined with Joshua’s power and pedigree, made the fight a mismatch from the outset.
While Paul managed to survive longer than many expected, the fact the contest reached the sixth round was viewed by some as an unflattering reflection on Joshua rather than a success for Paul.
The fight, streamed live to more than 300 million Netflix subscribers, drew enormous attention but also reignited criticism of crossover fights that blur the line between sport and spectacle.
Star-Studded Event, Mixed Reception
Joshua made his ring walk first to a mixed reaction, his stern demeanour reflecting his insistence that he would approach the bout professionally. Paul’s entrance raised eyebrows, as he was accompanied by controversial rapper 6ix9ine, further adding to the circus-like atmosphere.
Ringside spectators included golf superstar Rory McIlroy, musicians Rick Ross and Timbaland, underscoring the entertainment-driven nature of the event.
Paul attempted to play to the crowd throughout, sticking out his tongue after missed Joshua punches and exaggerating reactions, but the bravado faded as the knockdowns mounted.
Joshua Eyes Bigger Fights After £210m Payday
Joshua, now 29-4 as a professional, walks away with his share of a reported £210m purse and immediately turned his attention to more meaningful contests.
The 36-year-old has now knocked out both former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou and Jake Paul in crossover bouts, and is expected to take one more tune-up fight early next year before a long-anticipated clash with Tyson Fury later in 2026.
“Come and fight one of the realest fighters out there,” Joshua said, issuing a direct message to Fury. “Step in there with me next.”
Paul Admits Defeat, Targets Cruiserweight Title
Paul, who was later taken to hospital with a suspected broken jaw, admitted he had been outmatched but insisted his boxing journey was far from over.
“I got beat up,” the 28-year-old said. “I think my jaw is broken. But that was good — I’ll come back and get a world championship belt at some point.”
Despite the loss, Paul’s ability to draw headlines, audiences, and massive pay-per-view interest remains undeniable. His promotional skills continue to convince sections of the public that such fights might be competitive, even when the reality in the ring tells a different story.
Entertainment Over Legacy
Joshua was candid about the nature of the event, acknowledging it was never about legacy.
“I don’t care about legacy,” he said. “Legacy lasts 50 years and then it’s gone. This is what I do — I’ll do it until I can’t anymore.”
While purists questioned the bout’s legitimacy, there was no denying its commercial success. For Joshua, it was a lucrative night’s work; for Paul, another chapter in his polarising boxing experiment.
Leave a Reply