Anthony Joshua stopped boxing novice Jake Paul in the sixth round in Miami. The fight ranked among the most uneven matchups in modern boxing. Paul spent much of the bout retreating and avoiding exchanges. He relied on movement and caution instead of sustained offense. Joshua grew visibly frustrated as Paul refused to engage.
The former two-time world champion took full control in the fifth round. Joshua closed the ring and forced action. He dropped Paul twice under relentless pressure. The sequence exposed the vast gap in skill, power, and experience.
Paul went down again early in the sixth round. Joshua landed a clean and powerful right hand. The punch ended a surreal spectacle at the Kaseya Center. Paul failed to beat the referee’s count.
Relief spread across the arena when Paul rose unassisted. He left the ring on his own feet.
“It wasn’t my best performance,” Joshua said afterward. “I wanted to corner Jake Paul and hurt him.” He admitted the finish arrived later than expected. “The right hand finally landed,” he added.
The result followed widespread expectations. The bout reignited concerns about safety in crossover boxing. Experience, size, and power separated the fighters completely.
Joshua recorded the 29th victory of his professional career from 33 fights. He now turns toward more credible opposition. A long-discussed showdown with Tyson Fury remains the next objective.
“Fight a real fighter,” Joshua said. “Step in with me if you truly believe it.”
Paul failed to deliver the upset he promised. His confidence collapsed under constant pressure.
The 28-year-old hit the canvas repeatedly and clung to Joshua’s legs. The two-stone weight difference shaped the fight decisively.
Paul landed a handful of clean punches. The bout lasting into the sixth round reflected poorly on Joshua’s efficiency.
Joshua stalks relentlessly as Paul struggles to survive
Joshua walked to the ring first and received mixed reactions. His stern expression showed full focus. He treated the contest seriously throughout fight week.
Paul’s ringwalk attracted attention for different reasons. Rapper 6ix9ine accompanied him, stirring murmurs in the crowd.
After the opening bell, Paul circled constantly on the outside. Boos followed quickly. Joshua pressed forward and threw heavy shots. Many punches missed narrowly, drawing audible reactions from the audience.
Paul responded with theatrics. He stuck out his tongue and played to the cameras. Every surviving minute felt like a small victory.
Only 13 months earlier, Paul had faced 58-year-old Mike Tyson. That comparison shaped expectations for the night.
Paul landed a wide right hand in the fourth round. The punch failed to trouble Joshua. He continued marching forward without hesitation.
More than 300 million Netflix subscribers watched the fight live. Celebrities filled the ringside seats. Rory McIlroy attended after his Sports Personality of the Year win. Rick Ross and Timbaland also watched closely.
The fifth round delivered the breakthrough many expected. A right hook clipped Paul and sent him down. A quick combination dropped him again. Paul rose slowly, struggling for breath, and masked the damage with bravado.
Another heavy right in the sixth round sent Paul sprawling again. Sections of the crowd urged the referee to intervene.
Many recalled Joshua’s knockout of Francis Ngannou last year. A familiar ending approached. It arrived with less brutality, but the straight right landed flush.
Joshua sets sights on Fury as Paul plans comeback
This fight never aimed to test Joshua’s elite boxing level. Promoters built it for spectacle and revenue. Entertainment drove the event.
“I don’t care about legacy,” Joshua said. “Legacy fades over time.” He framed the bout as professional work. “I will keep doing this while I can,” he added.
Joshua leaves Miami with a reported £210m purse share. His team plans another warm-up fight in February. Focus then shifts to a potential Fury showdown in 2026.
Paul accepted defeat without excuses. “I got beat up,” he said afterward. He still spoke confidently about returning.
“I think my jaw is broken,” Paul said. “But I will come back.” He promised to pursue a cruiserweight world title.
Love him or loathe him, Paul draws attention. Few fighters generate comparable debate. His promotional skill sold belief. Inside the ring, his limits were exposed.
