In a highly anticipated heavyweight clash streamed live on Netflix from the Kaseya Center in Miami on December 19, 2025, former two-time unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua delivered a dominant performance, knocking out social media star turned boxer Jake Paul in the sixth round.
Joshua, entering the ring with vast professional experience and elite power, wasted little time asserting control once he closed the distance. Paul, known for his promotional savvy and resilience in previous bouts against aging or crossover opponents, employed evasive movement early on, circling the ring and forcing Joshua to chase.
This strategy allowed Paul to survive the opening rounds longer than many predicted, frustrating Joshua and drawing occasional jeers from the crowd as clean connections remained sparse.
However, as the fight progressed into the later rounds, Paul’s lateral movement began to slow, and Joshua capitalized. In the fifth round, Joshua scored multiple knockdowns, flooring Paul twice and visibly hurting him.
Paul showed remarkable heart by rising each time, even sticking out his tongue in defiance at one point, but the damage was mounting.
The end came swiftly in the sixth. Joshua trapped Paul against the ropes and unleashed a devastating combination, starting with a sharp right uppercut that staggered the YouTuber. A follow-up barrage sent Paul down again early in the frame.
Though he beat the count and displayed grit in continuing, a thunderous final right hand from Joshua dropped him once more. The referee wisely waved off the contest at the 1:31 mark to prevent further punishment, awarding Joshua the knockout victory.
Post-fight reports indicated Paul suffered a broken jaw and was taken to the hospital, missing the press conference. Joshua, gracious in victory despite admitting it “took longer than expected,” praised Paul’s toughness: “He got up time and time again.
It takes a real man to do that.” He then turned his attention forward, calling out Tyson Fury for a potential blockbuster all-British showdown in 2026.
The result silenced much of the pre-fight skepticism about Paul’s legitimacy at heavyweight against a prime elite opponent, reaffirming Joshua’s status as a top contender while ending Paul’s win streak and raising questions about his future in the division.