Anthony Joshua stopped boxing novice Jake Paul in the sixth round in Miami. The fight ranked among the most unbalanced matchups in modern boxing history. Paul spent much of the contest retreating and avoiding exchanges. He relied on movement and caution instead of sustained offense. Joshua showed growing irritation as Paul refused to engage.
The former two-time world champion asserted dominance in the fifth round. Joshua closed distance and controlled the ring. He dropped Paul twice under heavy pressure. The sequence highlighted the clear gap in class, power, and experience.
Paul fell again early in the sixth round. Joshua then landed a clean and decisive right hand. The punch ended a surreal spectacle at the Kaseya Center. Paul failed to rise before the referee completed the count.
Relief moved through the arena when Paul stood without assistance. He left the ring on his own feet.
“It wasn’t my sharpest performance,” Joshua said afterward. “I wanted to corner Jake Paul and hurt him.” He accepted the finish arrived later than expected. “The right hand finally landed,” he added.
The outcome matched overwhelming predictions. The bout reignited concerns over safety in crossover boxing. Experience, size, and strength separated the fighters completely.
Joshua claimed the 29th victory of his professional career from 33 fights. He now turns his focus 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 truly believe it.”
Paul failed to deliver the upset he promised beforehand. His confidence faded as the pressure mounted.
The 28-year-old hit the canvas repeatedly and clutched Joshua’s legs. The two-stone weight difference dictated the contest.
Paul landed a small number of clean punches. The fight reaching the sixth round reflected poorly on Joshua’s efficiency.
Joshua applies pressure as Paul fights to survive
Joshua walked to the ring first and received mixed reactions. His stern expression showed clear focus. He treated the contest seriously throughout the build-up.
Paul’s ringwalk drew attention for different reasons. Rapper 6ix9ine accompanied him. The appearance unsettled sections of the crowd.
After the opening bell, Paul circled constantly on the outside. Boos followed quickly. Joshua advanced and threw heavy punches. Many shots missed narrowly. Each miss drew gasps from the stands.
Paul responded with gestures and showmanship. He stuck out his tongue and played to the cameras. Every surviving minute felt like progress.
Only 13 months earlier, Paul had fought 58-year-old Mike Tyson. That comparison shaped expectations throughout 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 nearby.
The fifth round delivered the breakthrough 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 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 violence. The straight right finally landed flush.
Joshua shifts focus to Fury as Paul promotes the future
This contest never aimed to test Joshua’s elite boxing level. Promoters designed it for spectacle and revenue. Entertainment shaped the entire event.
“I don’t care about legacy,” Joshua said. “Legacy fades over time.” He described 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. Attention 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 attracts attention. Few fighters generate similar debate. His promotional power sold belief. Inside the ring, his limitations stood exposed.
