Anthony Joshua returned to the ring on Friday night with a sixth round technical knockout victory over Jake Paul, ending their heavyweight bout at Kaseya Center in Miami. The fight, streamed globally on Netflix, drew significant attention as Joshua faced the YouTuber turned boxer in one of the most widely viewed boxing events of the year.
Joshua, a former two time unified heavyweight champion, scored four knockdowns before the referee stopped the contest at 1 minute 31 seconds of the sixth round. The defeat marked Paul’s second professional loss and his first by stoppage, while Joshua secured his first victory after a 15 month layoff.
The eight round fight began at a measured pace. Paul focused on movement and defense, circling the ring and limiting exchanges while frequently clinching when pressured. Joshua advanced steadily but landed few clean punches in the early rounds as Paul avoided prolonged engagements. The lack of sustained action during the opening three rounds drew audible disapproval from sections of the crowd.
Joshua began to assert greater control in the fourth round, landing body shots that reduced Paul’s mobility. The shift became more pronounced in the fifth round when Joshua dropped Paul with a right hand. Paul managed to beat the count but was knocked down again later in the round after absorbing a left hook.
The conclusion came in the sixth round as Joshua increased the tempo and applied sustained pressure. Two additional knockdowns followed, leading the referee to stop the fight. Afterward, Paul revealed he had suffered a serious jaw injury and was taken to hospital for further evaluation.
Unofficial punch statistics reflected Joshua’s effectiveness. Reports indicated that Joshua landed 48 punches during the fight compared with 16 by Paul, with Joshua connecting more frequently on power shots. While overall punch volume was low, Joshua’s accuracy and timing proved decisive once he began to close distance more effectively.
The win repositions Joshua within the heavyweight landscape after recent setbacks and inactivity. Speaking following the bout, he expressed interest in returning to major title contention in 2026 and mentioned potential future opponents, including long discussed heavyweight matchups. Paul, despite the loss, stated his intention to continue boxing and pursue further opportunities following recovery.
The undercard featured several notable bouts. Alycia Baumgardner earned a unanimous decision over Leila Beaudoin in a women’s super featherweight contest. Anderson Silva stopped Tyron Woodley in the second round of their rematch, while Caroline Dubois delivered a dominant performance against Camila Panatta.
Netflix reported strong global viewership for the event, describing it as one of the platform’s most watched live boxing broadcasts. The fight generated substantial online engagement and mainstream attention, reflecting continued interest in crossover boxing events.
Reaction to the bout was mixed, with some observers critical of the cautious early rounds and others emphasizing the clear difference in experience between the two fighters. Joshua acknowledged Paul’s resilience, while analysts noted that sustained exposure to elite competition remains a defining factor at the highest level of the sport.
Ultimately, the contest ended decisively. Joshua’s patience and power led to a clear outcome, while Paul demonstrated durability but was unable to overcome the gap in experience over six rounds.
This image is the property of The New Dispatch LLC and is not licenseable for external use without explicit written permission.
