The Brit knocks out the YouTuber in the sixth round of a duel that was met with some ridicule. He now hopes for one last chance at the world championship.
Former world boxing champion Anthony Joshua did not disappoint in his multi-million-dollar fight against influencer Jake Paul.
The Brit won the fight against the YouTuber on Saturday night in Miami by knockout in the sixth round. After his victory in the somewhat ridiculed duel with the boxing newcomer, Joshua now dreams of one last chance at the world championship.
“It wasn’t the best performance,” Joshua admitted, “but the goal was to catch Jake Paul, pin him down and hurt him.” He said he always had that in mind: “It took a little longer than expected, but the right hand finally found its target.”
Boxing: Fight between Paul and Joshua turns into a farce at times
The mediocre fight at the Kaseya Center, supported by streaming provider Netflix, turned into a farce at times as Paul repeatedly went down and clung to Joshua’s legs.
At one point, even referee Christopher Young seemed to lose his patience, warning the fighters in the fourth round: “The fans didn’t pay to see this crap.”
As Paul grew tired, Joshua began to land more regular hits. After knocking the American down twice in the fifth round, the end came quickly in the sixth round.
Joshua pushed Paul into a corner and, after a hard left, delivered the knockout blow with a right to the chin that sent his opponent to the canvas.
Joshua wants to box Fury again
Joshua quickly turned his attention to a possible fight against former world champion Tyson Fury (37/Great Britain) next year. “We’ve shaken off the rust, I can’t wait to start 2026 with momentum,” Joshua said: “If Tyson Fury is really serious, then we should put on the gloves and fight.”
For Joshua, who is said to have earned at least $30 million for the fight, it was his 29th victory in 33 professional fights (four defeats). The 36-year-old, who sent Wladimir Klitschko into boxing retirement in 2017, is currently fighting to return to the top of the world rankings after suffering numerous setbacks in recent years. In 2019, Joshua was unexpectedly dethroned for the first time by American Andy Ruiz Jr. After regaining the WBA, WBO, and IBF world championship belts in a rematch, he lost them to Alexander Usyk in 2021. In September last year, he was knocked out by then-IBF world champion Daniel Dubois. Meanwhile, Paul suffered his second defeat in his 14th professional fight. The 28-year-old caused a sensation in November 2024 with his victory over aging boxing icon Mike Tyson (59).
