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Joshua dominates Paul in one-sided bout
British heavyweight Anthony Joshua secured his 29th professional victory by stopping Jake Paul in the sixth round at Miami's Kaseya Center on Saturday, capping a fight marked by a stark experience gap.
Frustration and relief in Miami
Joshua, a two-time world champion, grew visibly frustrated as Paul spent much of the fight evading engagement, circling the ring and clinching. The 36-year-old finally broke through in the fifth round, dropping Paul twice before ending the contest with a powerful right hand in the sixth. Paul rose unsteadily but left the ring without assistance, drawing audible relief from the crowd.
"The end goal was to pin Jake Paul down and hurt him. It took longer than expected, but the right hand finally found its mark."
Anthony Joshua
Questions over fighter safety
The bout highlighted concerns about the risks of mismatched contests, with Paul-weighing two stones less-struggling to cope with Joshua's power. The YouTuber-turned-boxer was knocked down four times, landing just six punches in the first three rounds. Despite the one-sided nature, Paul insisted post-fight that he would return, targeting a cruiserweight world title.
"I think my jaw is broken," Paul admitted. "But that was good. I'll come back and get a world championship belt at some point."
Entertainment over competition
The event, streamed live to over 300 million Netflix subscribers, was more spectacle than sport. Joshua's promoter framed it as a revenue-driven showcase, with the Briton earning a reported £210 million purse. High-profile attendees included golfer Rory McIlroy and rappers Rick Ross and Timbaland.
Joshua, who called out Tyson Fury for a potential 2026 showdown, dismissed legacy concerns: "I don't care about the legacy. This is what I do-I'll do it until I can't anymore."
Controversy and criticism
Paul's ring entrance alongside rapper 6ix9ine-known for criminal convictions-drew criticism, as did the fight's lopsided nature. While Paul's promotional prowess was evident in the pre-fight hype, his performance underscored the divide between entertainment and competitive boxing.
Joshua's next steps likely include a warm-up bout in February before a potential clash with Fury, while Paul plans a hiatus to recover from the defeat.
