Anthony Joshua returned to the ring in dramatic fashion on Saturday night, knocking out Jake Paul in the sixth round of their highly publicised boxing clash in Miami.
The bout, streamed globally on Netflix, drew massive attention as the former heavyweight world champion faced the YouTuber-turned-boxer in one of the most unconventional fights in recent boxing history.
Paul began confidently, using movement and distance to frustrate Joshua in the early rounds.
The American fought largely on the back foot, forcing Joshua to miss with wide swings and struggle to find rhythm during the opening exchanges.
However, the tide turned decisively in the fifth round when Joshua broke through Paul’s defence, scoring knockdowns and applying sustained pressure.
By the sixth, Joshua had Paul pinned against the ropes, working the body before unleashing a powerful right hand that ended the contest.
Joshua celebrated emphatically in the ring before admitting afterward that his performance was not perfect.
Despite that, the victory marked a statement return after a lengthy absence from competition.
Following the fight, Paul revealed that he suffered serious injuries. Posting from a hospital bed, he claimed to have sustained a double jaw fracture but insisted he has no intention of retiring from boxing. Instead, the 27-year-old said he plans to return to the cruiserweight division after recovering.
“I got beat by one of the best,” Paul said in a post-fight interview. “My jaw is broken, but I’ll heal and be back.”
Joshua used his post-fight moment to shift attention toward a long-anticipated all-British showdown, publicly calling out Tyson Fury for a potential blockbuster clash in 2026.
Promoter Eddie Hearn later confirmed that securing the Fury fight is now Joshua’s top priority as he looks to return to heavyweight title contention.
Despite the chaotic nature of the contest, Paul received praise from some boxing figures for stepping into the ring with an Olympic gold medalist and former world champion, even as critics questioned elements of his in-ring tactics.
The fight adds another unforgettable chapter to boxing’s growing crossover era — one that continues to blur the lines between entertainment and elite competition.
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