MIAMI, Florida – Jake Paul learned a harsh lesson on Saturday night: there are clear levels in professional boxing, and Anthony Joshua operates at the very top.
The former two-time unified heavyweight world champion delivered a clinical and powerful performance, stopping the YouTuber-turned-boxer with a brutal knockout in the sixth round of their scheduled eight-round heavyweight bout at the Kaseya Center.
While the fight lasted longer than many expected, the outcome always felt inevitable once Joshua found his rhythm.
A Fight Many Questioned, But One Joshua Took Seriously
Few fans believed this fight would ever happen. Fewer still thought Jake Paul could last more than a few rounds with an elite heavyweight like Anthony Joshua.
However, Joshua insisted before the bout that he would not underestimate Paul, despite the American’s limited boxing experience.
Paul, meanwhile, was determined to prove he belonged in the ring with a former world champion.
Slow Start as Paul Tries to Survive
The opening rounds were scrappy and uncomfortable to watch at times.
Paul circled the ring constantly, avoiding exchanges
Joshua stayed patient, stalking his opponent
Loud jeers echoed around the arena as fans urged action
Paul’s defensive approach helped him survive early, but it also highlighted the gap in class. Joshua remained calm, conserving energy and waiting for an opening.
Size, Power and Experience Tell the Story
The physical mismatch was obvious:
Jake Paul: 216.6 pounds
Anthony Joshua: 243.4 pounds
Height advantage: Joshua by 5 inches
Reach advantage: Joshua by 6 inches
Beyond the numbers, Joshua’s championship experience and ring intelligence proved decisive.
Despite Paul lasting longer than some of Joshua’s recent opponents – including Francis Ngannou and Otto Wallin – survival was never enough to win the fight.
Fifth Round Turning Point: Joshua Turns Up the Pressure
By Round 5, Paul’s conditioning began to fail. Forced to engage more, he briefly landed a right hand, but Joshua barely reacted.
Moments later, the Brit struck back decisively:
First knockdown from a crushing body shot
Second knockdown from a sharp one-two combination
Paul rose each time, but his legs looked unsteady.
Sixth Round Knockout: The End Arrives
Joshua wasted no time in the sixth round.
A thunderous right hand sent Paul crashing to the canvas
Paul beat the count but had nowhere to go
A short, brutal right hand ended the fight at 1:31 of Round 6
The crowd erupted as Joshua delivered the knockout fans had been demanding all night.
Fight Statistics Highlight the Dominance
The punch numbers told a clear story:
Anthony Joshua:
48 punches landed from 146 thrown (32.9%)
31 landed in Rounds 5 and 6
Jake Paul:
16 punches landed from 56 thrown (28.6%)
Zero punches landed in Round 6
Joshua scored four knockdowns across the fifth and sixth rounds.
Respect Shown After the Fight
Despite the one-sided ending, Joshua praised Paul for stepping into the ring.
“It wasn’t the best performance, but it took a bit longer than expected,” Joshua said.
“The right hand finally found its destination.”
Paul later revealed the final punch broke his jaw, yet he remained upbeat.
“I’ve already won in every way in life,” Paul said.
“I’m going to take a break, then come back and fight people my weight.”
He added that he hopes to target a cruiserweight world title in the future.
Joshua’s First Win in Over a Year – What’s Next?
The victory marked Joshua’s first win in more than 12 months following his knockout loss to Daniel Dubois.
More importantly, it reopened the door to a long-awaited all-British mega fight.
Tyson Fury Back in the Picture?
Joshua wasted no time calling out former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, who is currently retired.
“If Tyson Fury is serious, put the Twitter fingers down and put the gloves on,” Joshua said.
“Step in the ring with me and let’s talk with our fists.”
A Joshua vs Fury showdown remains one of the biggest potential fights in British boxing history.
Final Thoughts: Levels Still Matter in Boxing
Jake Paul showed courage and durability, but Saturday night reinforced a simple truth: elite boxing experience cannot be replaced.
Anthony Joshua proved that, even on an off night, world-class heavyweights operate on a completely different level.
For Paul, it was a painful lesson. For Joshua, it was a reminder that he still belongs among boxing’s biggest names.
References
ESPN Fight Coverage
Kaseya Center Event Reports
Official Fight Statistics
Post-Fight Interviews with Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul
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