Anthony Joshua Defeats Jake Paul with Sixth-Round Knockout in Miami

In a highly anticipated heavyweight bout at Miami's Kaseya Center on December 19, 2025, Anthony Joshua defeated Jake Paul with a knockout in the sixth round. The match, streamed on Netflix, drew significant attention due to the contrasting backgrounds of the fighters.

The early rounds saw limited engagement, with both fighters adopting cautious strategies. Joshua began to assert dominance in the fifth round, knocking Paul down twice. In the sixth round, Joshua delivered a decisive right uppercut, followed by a combination that floored Paul. Although Paul managed to rise, Joshua's subsequent right hand resulted in a fourth knockdown, leading referee Christopher Young to halt the fight at 1:31 of the round.

Post-fight, Joshua acknowledged Paul's resilience, stating, "Jake Paul did really well and he deserves his props. It takes a real man to do that and he deserves respect for trying and trying and trying. But he came up against a real fighter tonight." Paul, reflecting on the match, remarked, "I'm feeling good. That was fun. I love this sport and I had a blast. Anthony is a great fighter. I got my ass beat but that's what this sport is all about. This sport has helped me so much. I think my jaw is broken, by the way."

This victory marks Joshua's first since his knockout win over former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in February 2024, improving his record to 29-4 with 26 knockouts. Paul's record now stands at 12-2 with seven knockouts. Looking ahead, Joshua is expected to return to the ring in 2026, with potential matchups including a highly anticipated bout against fellow former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, who retired in 2025.