Joshua Overpowers Jake Paul With Brutal Sixth-Round Stoppage in Miami
Anthony Joshua scored a decisive sixth-round knockout victory over Jake Paul on Friday night at the Kaseya Center in Miami.
Anthony Joshua delivered a sixth-round knockout against Jake Paul at Miami’s Kaseya Center, handing the social media star his first KO loss and reigniting talk of a future Tyson Fury clash.
Getty Images
The former unified heavyweight world champion began the contest cautiously, choosing to bide his time and wait for clear openings, a strategy that frustrated sections of the crowd. As the fight progressed, Joshua increased the pressure, shifting momentum firmly in his favor. The fifth round proved pivotal, as Paul was knocked down twice before Joshua ended the bout one round later with a devastating straight right hand.
Getty Images
The stoppage marked the first knockout defeat of Jake Paul’s professional boxing career.
Speaking in the ring to Netflix’s Ariel Helwani after the fight, Joshua admitted the performance was not flawless. He explained that his intention was to trap Paul and cause damage, though the finish took longer than anticipated. Joshua praised Paul’s effort, crediting him for his determination and willingness to keep pushing, while emphasizing that Paul ultimately faced a genuine professional fighter.
At 36 years old, Joshua entered the Netflix-broadcast bout as a strong betting favorite due to his extensive experience and proven skill set. The British heavyweight holds a professional record of 29 wins and four losses, with 26 knockouts, and is widely regarded as one of the standout boxers of his era. His résumé includes an Olympic gold medal and notable victories over Wladimir Klitschko, Andy Ruiz Jr., Dillian Whyte, and Alexander Povetkin.
The win also represented a rebound for Joshua following his defeat last year against fellow British heavyweight Daniel Dubois. According to multiple reports, he is expected to take on Tyson Fury in 2026.
Joshua addressed that potential matchup after the fight, saying he felt he had shaken off the rust. He added that if Fury is serious about fighting, he should move beyond online exchanges and step into the ring, urging him to prove his commitment by agreeing to the bout.
Jake Paul, who transitioned from social media fame to professional boxing, suffered his first loss since a split-decision defeat to Tommy Fury in February 2023. Prior to Friday’s bout, Paul had put together a six-fight winning streak that included wins over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Mike Tyson.
Although Paul has silenced some early skeptics by developing notable boxing ability in a relatively short time — having turned professional in 2020 — Joshua represented a significant escalation in competition. Many of Paul’s previous opponents were either former mixed martial artists or veteran boxers past their prime, including Tyson, who returned from retirement at age 58 to face him.
After the fight, Paul spoke to Helwani and acknowledged Joshua’s quality. He admitted he took a heavy beating but said the experience reflected the nature of the sport. Paul also noted the positive impact boxing has had on his life, while suggesting he may have suffered a broken jaw during the bout.
