Anthony Joshua stopped boxing novice Jake Paul in the sixth round in Miami. The bout ranked among the most uneven contests in modern boxing. Paul spent much of the fight retreating and avoiding exchanges. He relied on movement and caution instead of sustained offense. Joshua grew increasingly 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 wide gap in skill, size, and experience.
Paul fell 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 through 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 trap Jake Paul and hurt him.” He admitted the finish came later than expected. “The right hand finally landed,” he added.
The outcome followed widespread predictions. The bout renewed 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 his next target.
“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 sustained pressure.
The 28-year-old hit the canvas repeatedly and clung to Joshua’s legs. The two-stone weight difference dictated the contest.
Paul landed a handful of clean punches. The fight reaching the sixth round reflected poorly on Joshua’s efficiency.
Joshua stalks relentlessly as Paul struggles to survive
Joshua entered the ring first and received mixed reactions. His stern expression showed full focus. He treated the contest seriously throughout fight week.
Paul’s ringwalk drew attention for different reasons. Rapper 6ix9ine accompanied him, stirring murmurs among spectators.
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 crowd.
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 fought 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 advancing 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 swift 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 eyes 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 with 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 commands attention. Few fighters generate comparable debate. His promotional skill sold belief. Inside the ring, his limits were exposed.
