British heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua delivered a powerful statement in Miami, stopping YouTube sensation Jake Paul in the sixth round of their high-profile bout on Saturday, 20 December 2025.
Joshua's Dominant Return to the Ring
The fight, broadcast live on streaming platform Netflix, saw Anthony Joshua end a 14-month hiatus following his knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in September 2024. The 36-year-old two-time world champion controlled the contest from the outset, demonstrating his superior power and experience against the 28-year-old Jake Paul.
Joshua scored three knockdowns before finally closing the show halfway through the sixth round with a devastating right hand. After the referee stepped in, Joshua showed respect to his opponent, lifting Paul's hand in a gesture of sportsmanship.
Post-Fight Reaction from Both Fighters
In his post-fight interview, Joshua was gracious in victory. "Jake Paul has done really well tonight. I want to give him his props, he got up, time and time again," he stated. However, the champion was self-critical, adding: "It wasn't the best performance. It took a bit longer than expected. But the right hand finally found the destination."
Despite the defeat, Jake Paul remained upbeat. "I'm feeling good, that was fun. I love this sport. I gave it my all," Paul said. "I got my ass beat, but that's what this sport is about. I'mma come back and keep on winning." He attributed part of his struggle to fatigue, admitting, "I just got tired to be honest. He did amazing and hits really hard."
Significant Weight Advantage for Joshua
The physical disparity between the fighters was clear at Friday's weigh-in. Joshua tipped the scales at 243.4lbs (17st 5lbs), making this his lightest weight since his first fight with Oleksandr Usyk in September 2021. In contrast, Jake Paul weighed in at 216lbs (15st 6lbs), giving Joshua a near two-stone (27.4lb) advantage.
This marked only the second time Paul has weighed in over the cruiserweight limit, the first being his controversial fight against 58-year-old Mike Tyson, which he won by unanimous decision. For Joshua, this fight was a crucial step back towards the top of the heavyweight division after his recent setback.
The event underscored the continuing crossover appeal of boxing, bringing the sport to a massive global audience via a major streaming service while reaffirming the gulf in class between an elite world champion and a determined but outmatched social media star.
