Anthony Joshua stopped boxing novice Jake Paul in the sixth round in Miami. The bout ranked among the most lopsided contests in modern boxing. Paul spent much of the fight retreating and avoiding exchanges. He relied on movement and caution rather than offense. Joshua grew increasingly irritated by the lack of engagement.
The former two-time world champion finally asserted control in the fifth round. Joshua closed the distance and dropped Paul twice. The sequence underlined the vast gap in experience and power.
Paul went down again early in the sixth round. Joshua then landed a clean and heavy right hand. The punch ended a surreal spectacle at the Kaseya Center. Paul failed to beat the referee’s count.
Relief spread throughout 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 pin Jake Paul down and hurt him.” He admitted the finish arrived later than planned. “The right hand finally found the target,” he said.
The result aligned with overwhelming expectations. The fight reignited debate about safety standards. Experience, size, and strength clearly separated the fighters.
Joshua secured the 29th victory of his professional career from 33 bouts. He now turns toward more credible opposition. A long-discussed clash with Tyson Fury remains central to his plans.
“Fight a real fighter,” Joshua said. “Step in with me if you believe the talk.”
Paul failed to deliver the upset he promised. His pre-fight confidence faded quickly.
The 28-year-old hit the canvas repeatedly and grabbed Joshua’s legs. The two-stone weight gap dictated the contest.
Paul landed a small number of clean punches. The fight lasting into the sixth round reflected poorly on Joshua’s sharpness.
Joshua stalks patiently as Paul survives on movement
Joshua walked to the ring first and drew a mixed reception. His stern expression showed clear focus. He treated the contest seriously throughout the week.
Paul’s ringwalk generated attention for different reasons. Rapper 6ix9ine accompanied him. The choice drew uneasy reactions from sections of the crowd.
After the opening bell, Paul circled constantly on the outside. Boos arrived quickly. Joshua pressed forward and threw heavy shots. Many punches missed narrowly. Each miss prompted gasps from the stands.
Paul answered with gestures and showmanship. He stuck out his tongue and played to the cameras. Every passing minute felt like a victory.
Only 13 months earlier, Paul had fought 58-year-old Mike Tyson. That comparison framed the event all night.
Paul landed a wide right hand in the fourth round. The shot failed to trouble Joshua. He continued advancing without hesitation.
More than 300 million Netflix subscribers watched the fight live. Celebrities packed the ringside seats. Rory McIlroy attended after his Sports Personality of the Year win. Rick Ross and Timbaland also watched from close range.
The fifth round delivered the shift many expected earlier. A right hook clipped Paul and sent him down. A swift combination dropped him again. Paul rose slowly and breathed heavily. He tried masking the damage with bravado.
Another heavy right in the sixth round sent Paul sprawling once more. Sections of the crowd called for the referee to intervene.
Many recalled Joshua’s knockout of Francis Ngannou last year. A familiar ending approached. It arrived with less brutality. The straight right finally landed flush.
Joshua looks ahead as Paul leans on promotion
This contest never aimed to test Joshua’s elite boxing skills. Promoters built it for spectacle and revenue. Entertainment shaped the entire event.
“I don’t care about legacy,” Joshua said. “Legacy fades with time.” He described the fight as part of his profession. “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 bout in February. Focus then shifts toward a possible 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 chase a cruiserweight world title.
Love him or loathe him, Paul draws attention. Few fighters create similar debate. His promotional power sold belief. Inside the ring, his limits stood exposed.
