Former world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis has commented on Jake Paul’s performance in his recent fight against Anthony Joshua, stating that the American “wasn’t in good shape” during the bout. The fight ended in the sixth round when Joshua stopped Paul, who failed to beat the count.

Lewis Critiques Paul’s Fitness

Speaking to Netflix, Lewis said:

“Paul wasn’t in good shape, especially for a big heavyweight like that. After a couple rounds it showed, he was basically sitting there waiting to get hit.”

The three-time world champion suggested that Joshua’s 15-month absence from the ring following his defeat to Daniel Dubois in September 2024 contributed to his inability to finish Paul earlier in the fight.

“When Anthony said he’d been out for 15 months, it showed. He needed a couple of rounds to warm up and get used to the ring again before he threw those punches. He did what he had to do. He had a guy in front of him running around the ring and he had to catch up with him.”

Andre Ward Offers a Different Perspective

Former super middleweight champion Andre Ward took a slightly softer stance on Paul’s performance, noting that fatigue played a role:

“When Paul got tired he panicked. That’s a sign of fatigue. He helped Joshua out a little bit because he was having decent success early on. You have to give Joshua that little bit of grace too. Jake Paul was good enough to make things interesting for a little while.”

Respect from the Boxing World

Despite criticism, several figures in boxing expressed respect for Paul, acknowledging his courage to step into the ring against a former world champion.

• Chris Eubank Jr praised Paul on X (formerly Twitter):

“Regardless of the outcome, Jake Paul got into the ring with an Olympic gold medallist and former heavyweight world champion and tried his best until the very end. You have to give him his respect now. He’s done what most would never do and he didn’t give up.”

• David Haye also acknowledged Paul’s effort:

“Jake Paul was competitive in there. It was frustrating for Anthony Joshua in the early rounds. He deserves respect for surviving six rounds.”

Fight Overview

The bout marked Jake Paul’s first knockdown in his boxing career, highlighting the step up in competition he faced against a former world champion. Paul landed just 16 punches in the fight, showing moments of competitiveness but ultimately succumbing to Joshua’s superior experience and power.

Looking Ahead

Anthony Joshua, now victorious, has called out Tyson Fury, signaling future big fights in the heavyweight division. Jake Paul, despite the loss, gained valuable experience against elite competition, earning recognition for his bravery and determination inside the ring.