British heavyweight Anthony Joshua required six rounds to defeat boxing newcomer Jake Paul, who spent a significant portion of the bout in defense mode in one of the most notable mismatches in the sport’s history.
Joshua appeared more frustrated as Paul continually evaded him, circling the ring for extended periods, until the two-time world champion finally took control by flooring the YouTuber-turned-boxer twice in the fifth round.
Paul was down once more in the sixth when Joshua delivered a strong and precise right hand that abruptly ended a surreal night at Miami’s Kaseya Center.
The American failed to beat the count, and a noticeable sense of relief spread throughout the arena when he managed to stand up and exit the ring unaided.
“It wasn’t the best performance,” Joshua, 36, said.
“The end goal was to pin Jake Paul down and hurt him. It took a bit longer than expected, but the right hand finally found the destination.”
It was the outcome that the boxing community had largely anticipated, and the contentious match brings forth concerns regarding the safety hazards posed by such a significant disparity in experience, size, and strength.
Joshua secured the 29th win of his professional journey in 33 fights and can now focus on a more significant challenge—particularly the long-discussed matchup with Tyson Fury next year.
“Come and fight one of the ‘realest’ fighters out there; step in there with me next if you’re a really bad boy,” Joshua told his rival. Paul, on the other hand, did not fulfill his commitment to achieve the biggest upset in sports history.
The 28-year-old spent a significant portion of the bout falling to the floor and grabbing at Joshua’s legs, illustrating the two-stone weight difference and his difficulty handling it.
Paul was able to land a few punches, and the fact that the fight went into the sixth round was an unflattering indication of Joshua.
Joshua entered the ring first and was greeted with a mixed response from the crowd in the 20,000-seat venue. His demeanor was serious, mirroring his insistence throughout the week that he would take the competition earnestly.
Paul’s entrance surprised many, as he was accompanied by rapper 6ix9ine, a contentious personality known for his criminal record and time behind bars.
As the opening bell sounded, Paul retreated and was quickly met with boos.
Joshua followed him closely, throwing powerful lefts and rights that only struck the air, with every miss eliciting gasps from the onlookers. Paul replied by extending his tongue, performing for the audience.
Each minute that went by felt like a minor triumph for Paul, who just 13 months prior battled 58-year-old Mike Tyson.
He landed a looping overhand right in the fourth, but it hardly affected Joshua.
The event was aired live to over 300 million subscribers of Netflix.
The fifth round provided what many anticipated much sooner. A right hook grazed Paul’s shoulder and knocked him down to the mat.
A short time later, a mix brought him down once more. He stood up with difficulty and was panting as he tried to conceal the harm with confidence.
A strong right in the sixth knocked Paul down again, leading parts of the crowd to urge the referee to intervene.
Those recalling Joshua’s vicious single-punch knockout of ex-UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou from earlier last year felt a recognizable conclusion nearing.
It wasn’t entirely brutal, but the straight right—the blow Joshua had anticipated all evening—ultimately connected cleanly.
