Sanity Restored: Anthony Joshua Overwhelms Jake Paul in Miami

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MIAMI, FL — The “Problem Child” finally met a problem he couldn’t solve. In a spectacle that combined the glitz of a Netflix global premiere with the brutal reality of elite-level boxing, former two-time unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua defeated Jake Paul via a sixth-round knockout on Friday night at the Kaseya Center.

While Paul’s camp had promised a world-shattering upset, the fight ultimately served as a stark reminder of the “levels” that exist in professional prize-fighting. Joshua, returning to the ring after a 15-month hiatus, overcame a rusty start to systematically dismantle the social media star, flooring him four times before the referee finally mercifully waved the contest off.

The Great Escape: Early Rounds

The opening four rounds were far from a masterpiece, characterized by Paul’s “bicycle” tactics and Joshua’s uncharacteristic struggle to cut off the ring.

Spoiler Tactics: Paul spent the first twelve minutes in full retreat, using lateral movement and excessive clinching to stay out of range. The strategy was effective enough to draw boos from the crowd and a sharp rebuke from referee Christopher Young, who told both fighters at one point, “The fans didn’t pay to see this crap.”
Tentative Start: Joshua appeared cautious, perhaps wary of a wild counter-punch or simply shaking off the ring rust from his 2024 loss to Daniel Dubois. He controlled the center of the ring but struggled to land his signature power shots against the evasive, much shorter Paul.

The Breakdown: Rounds 5 and 6

The tide turned violently in the fifth round as Paul’s cardio began to fail under the physical tax of clinching with a man 27 pounds heavier than him.

The Sinking Ship: A massive right uppercut from Joshua buckled Paul’s knees early in the fifth, resulting in the first official knockdown. Paul showed immense heart to beat the count, but he was dropped again moments later by a piston-like right cross.
The Final Dagger: By the sixth, Paul was a stationary target, reportedly fighting through a broken jaw. Joshua landed a “bomb” of a right hand that sent Paul crashing into the corner. Although Paul attempted to drag himself upright one last time, he could not beat the ten-count. The fight was officially called at the 1:31 mark of Round 6.

Post-Fight Reflections

Despite the one-sided nature of the finish, both fighters showed a surprising level of mutual respect once the dust settled.

“It wasn’t the best performance,” Joshua admitted in the ring. “The end goal was to pin him down and hurt him… it took longer than expected, but the right hand finally found its destination. Jake Paul has done really well tonight. He got up time and time again. It takes a real man to do that.”

For Paul, the loss marks the first stoppage of his career. “I got my ass beat,” Paul said candidly while spitting blood into a towel. “Anthony is a great fighter. I’m going to heal the broken jaw and come back to fight people my own weight at cruiserweight.”

What’s Next for AJ?

With this victory, the path is now clear for the most anticipated fight in British boxing history. Promoter Eddie Hearn wasted no time in the post-fight press conference, issuing a direct ultimatum to the “Gypsy King.”

The Goal for 2026: A unified heavyweight showdown between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury.