Miami, Florida — Former two-time unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua delivered a brutal reality check to Jake Paul, stopping the YouTuber-turned-boxer via knockout in Round 6 at the Kaseya Center on Friday night.
The bout highlighted the clear gap between elite championship pedigree and crossover boxing fame, as Joshua (29-4, 26 KOs) methodically broke down Paul (12-2, 7 KOs), handing him the first knockout loss of his professional career.
Levels Apart: Joshua’s Experience Prevails
From the opening bell, Paul adopted a cautious strategy, circling the ring and avoiding prolonged exchanges as Joshua stalked him patiently. While the approach helped Paul survive the early rounds, it also drew boos from the Miami crowd eager for action.
Joshua steadily cut off the ring, landing clean jabs and right hands while testing Paul’s conditioning. As the rounds progressed, the physical and technical superiority of the former heavyweight champion became increasingly evident.
Fight Turns Violent in Round 5
The contest escalated dramatically in Round 5, when Joshua finally cornered a visibly fatigued Paul. A crushing body shot sent Paul to the canvas, followed moments later by a sharp 1-2 combination that dropped him again. Though Paul managed to survive the round, the damage was decisive.
Round 6 Knockout Finish
Joshua wasted little time in Round 6, flooring Paul with a powerful right hand. Paul struggled back to his feet but had little left to offer. Joshua closed the show at the 1:31 mark, landing a short right hand that ended the fight and prompted the referee’s stoppage.
Paul’s Momentum Halted
Paul entered the fight riding a six-fight winning streak, including a June victory over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. His originally scheduled November exhibition against Gervonta “Tank” Davis was canceled due to Davis’ legal issues, opening the door for the Joshua matchup instead.
Despite lasting longer than some of Joshua’s recent opponents — including Francis Ngannou and Otto Wallin — Paul was ultimately outclassed once forced into sustained exchanges.
Joshua Back in the Spotlight
For Joshua, the win marks a strong rebound following his September 2024 loss to Daniel Dubois. After previously dropping back-to-back title fights against Oleksandr Usyk, the emphatic knockout over Paul reasserts Joshua’s power and relevance in the heavyweight division.
Other Fight Results
Alycia Baumgardner also impressed on the card, securing a decisive victory to continue her championship momentum.
Fight Scorecards (Unofficial)
Round 1–4: Joshua controls the pace with pressure and cleaner punches
Round 5: Two knockdowns scored by Joshua (10-8)
Round 6: Joshua wins by KO (1:31)
