Anthony Joshua stopped boxing novice Jake Paul in the sixth round in Miami. The contest ranked among the most one-sided fights in modern boxing. Paul spent most rounds retreating and avoiding exchanges. He relied on movement instead of meaningful offense. Joshua showed visible frustration as Paul refused to engage.
The former two-time world champion imposed himself in the fifth round. Joshua cut off the ring and forced exchanges. He knocked Paul down twice with sustained pressure. The sequence highlighted the gulf in class and experience.
Paul fell again early in the sixth round. Joshua followed with a clean and powerful right hand. The punch ended a bizarre spectacle at the Kaseya Center. Paul failed to beat the referee’s count.
Relief swept through the arena when Paul stood up unaided. He exited the ring without medical help.
“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 planned. “The right hand finally landed,” he added.
The result matched widespread expectations. The bout reignited debate about safety in crossover boxing. Experience, size, and power separated the fighters completely.
Joshua claimed the 29th victory of his professional career from 33 fights. He now turns his attention toward serious opposition. A long-discussed clash with Tyson Fury remains central.
“Fight a real fighter,” Joshua said. “Step in with me if you believe yourself.”
Paul failed to deliver the upset he promised. His confidence faded under sustained pressure.
The 28-year-old hit the canvas repeatedly and grabbed Joshua’s legs. The two-stone weight difference dictated the contest.
Paul landed a few clean punches. The fight reaching the sixth round reflected poorly on Joshua’s efficiency.
Joshua hunts patiently as Paul runs for survival
Joshua entered the ring first and received mixed reactions. His stern expression showed full 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 almost immediately. Joshua pressed forward and threw heavy shots. Many punches 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 context framed expectations throughout the night.
Paul landed a wide right hand in the fourth round. The punch barely troubled Joshua. He continued marching forward without pause.
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 shift many expected earlier. A right hook clipped Paul and dropped him. A fast combination sent him down again. Paul rose slowly and struggled for breath. He masked the damage with bravado.
Another heavy right in the sixth round sent Paul sprawling again. Sections of the crowd called for the referee to intervene.
Many recalled Joshua’s knockout of Francis Ngannou last year. A similar ending felt inevitable. It arrived with less brutality. The straight right finally landed flush.
Joshua looks ahead while Paul leans on promotion
This fight never aimed to test Joshua’s elite boxing ability. Promoters built it for spectacle and revenue. Entertainment drove every decision.
“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. 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 generate comparable debate. His promotional power sold belief. Inside the ring, his limits stood exposed.
