Anthony Joshua knocked out Jake Paul in the sixth round of a heavyweight bout on Dec. 19, 2025, at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, ending the bout at 1:31 of round six before a reported sellout crowd of 19,600. The former two-time world heavyweight champion scored multiple knockdowns — including two in the fifth — and finished the contest with a right to the head that left Paul unable to continue. Paul, who entered the ring 12-2, posted that he sustained a double jaw fracture after the loss; Joshua improved to 29-4 with 26 KOs. The fight was the main event of a card that also featured a 50-year-old Anderson Silva TKO victory on the undercard.
- Result: Anthony Joshua defeated Jake Paul by knockout at 1:31 of round six on Dec. 19, 2025, at the Kaseya Center in Miami.
- Knockdowns: Paul was dropped twice in round five and twice more in round six before the referee stopped the contest.
- Records and weights: Joshua improved to 29-4 (26 KOs) while Paul fell to 12-2; official weights were Joshua 243 lb and Paul 216 lb.
- Attendance: The event drew a reported crowd of 19,600 at the Kaseya Center.
- Injury claim: Paul shared an X-ray and social posts saying he suffered a “double broken jaw” after the fight; this injury is noted in his social posts and awaits independent medical confirmation.
- Context: The bout was Joshua’s first since a KO loss to Daniel Dubois in September 2024 and is being framed as a step toward Joshua reclaiming a heavyweight title.
- Undercard note: Retired UFC champion Anderson Silva scored a second-round TKO against Tyron Woodley on the same card.
Background
The match paired a veteran heavyweight champion with a high-profile crossover opponent who began his professional boxing career in January 2020. Joshua, once a two-time world champion, had been seeking momentum after a fifth-round knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in September 2024. That defeat left questions about Joshua’s immediate place among elite heavyweights and reopened discussions about potential showdowns with top domestic rivals.
Jake Paul, the 28-year-old social-media star turned boxer, targeted bouts with notable names since 2020 and had recently pursued an exhibition with lightweight champion Gervonta Davis that fell through amid Davis’ legal problems. Paul then pivoted to the arrangement with Joshua, securing a slot in a major arena and generating broad mainstream interest thanks to his following and promotional reach.
The matchup carried significance beyond the ring: a Joshua win would strengthen his case to challenge for titles he once held and to enter conversations about high-profile domestic fights. Meanwhile, a competitive showing for Paul would bolster his argument that crossover athletes can contend with established pros in marquee settings.
Main Event
Early rounds were measured as both men felt each other out. Joshua used his jab and reach — reported as a six-inch advantage — to govern distance, while Paul intermittently sought to close by throwing overhand rights and compact counters. Midway through round one Joshua landed a head shot near the ropes that set the tone for a methodical start.
The pace increased as the fight progressed. Joshua steadily imposed pressure and began to land heavier punches; Paul had moments of success but twice fell awkwardly in round four when attempting to bridge the gap. In round five Joshua landed multiple telling blows that dropped Paul twice and left the younger fighter visibly compromised.
Sensing the finish, Joshua pressed early in the sixth with a right uppercut that rocked Paul and a follow-up head combination that sent him to the canvas again. Although Paul rose, Joshua connected with a decisive right to the head that produced a fourth knockdown; referee Christopher Young completed a count and halted the contest at 1:31 of round six.
After the stoppage Paul posted on social media that he believed his jaw was broken in two places and shared an X-ray image; he later thanked supporters and said he was OK. Joshua, in a subdued post-fight comment to CBS Sports, acknowledged Paul’s toughness, saying that Paul got up repeatedly and earned respect for his resilience in the ring.
Analysis & Implications
For Joshua, the victory serves multiple functions: it rebuilds confidence after the 2024 loss to Dubois, adds a convincing KO to his ledger, and provides leverage in talks about a return to title contention. At 29-4 and with 26 KOs, Joshua demonstrated power and ringcraft against a smaller but durable opponent, strengthening his negotiating position with promoters and sanctioning bodies.
For Jake Paul, the defeat is significant but not necessarily terminal to his boxing trajectory. Paul absorbed multiple heavy knockdowns, and his post-fight injury claim — if corroborated — will affect his short-term activity. From a career-development standpoint, the bout highlighted both his ability to secure major events and the limits he faces against seasoned heavy hitters.
The result also feeds broader debates about crossover bouts and matchmaking. Promoters can point to strong ticket sales and mainstream attention as justification for pitting celebrities against top-level opponents, while purists may note the risk to fighter safety and competitive integrity when experience gaps are large. Regulators and athletic commissions will likely revisit medical clearances and matchmaking standards as such events continue to draw big audiences.
Comparison & Data
| Metric | Anthony Joshua | Jake Paul |
|---|---|---|
| Professional record (before/after) | 29-4 (26 KOs) | 12-2 |
| Official weight | 243 lb | 216 lb |
| Knockdowns in fight | — (delivered 4) | 4 (suffered) |
| Event attendance | 19,600 (Kaseya Center, Miami) | |
The table above places key numeric details side by side: Joshua entered with a notable size advantage (27 pounds at the official weigh-in) and converted that into multiple knockdowns. The fifth and sixth rounds were decisive; they accounted for the blows that changed momentum and ultimately produced the stoppage. Those rounds will be the focus of technical reviews by trainers and commissions in the coming days.
Reactions & Quotes
“Jake Paul has done really well tonight. I want to give him his props — he got up time and time again.”
Anthony Joshua, post-fight to CBS Sports (paraphrased)
Joshua’s brief remarks emphasized respect for his opponent’s resilience while avoiding boastful rhetoric after a definitive win. That tone is likely intended to keep doors open for high-profile matchups without inflaming rivalries prematurely.
“On the plane I just got to watch the Jake Paul Fight… he did really well, especially as a display of GREAT Courage against a very talented and large Anthony Joshua.”
Former President Donald Trump, Truth Social (paraphrased)
Public figures in attendance and observers online offered a mix of praise for both fighters; the social-media reaction highlighted the event’s crossover appeal beyond traditional boxing audiences.
“He landed the big shots when they mattered — that was the difference tonight.”
Ringside analyst (post-fight commentary, paraphrased)
Commentators focused on Joshua’s timing and power in the late rounds as the decisive elements of the contest.
Unconfirmed
- Jake Paul’s claim of a “double broken jaw” is based on his social posts and an X-ray image he shared; independent medical confirmation has not been published by an official medical provider.
- Any immediate timelines for Paul’s return to competition or for Joshua’s next opponent remain speculative until promoters and sanctioning bodies announce formal agreements.
Bottom Line
Anthony Joshua’s sixth-round knockout of Jake Paul is a clear, measurable victory that repairs part of the damage to his recent record and repositions him in heavyweight conversations. The manner of the win — successive knockdowns culminating in a stoppage — will strengthen Joshua’s bargaining power for future high-profile matchups and offers a narrative of regained momentum.
For Jake Paul, the defeat exposes the risks inherent in stepping up to fight world-class power and experience in the heavyweight division. His social-media account of an injury introduces an immediate medical question that will shape his short-term plans.
Beyond the two camps, the event underscores the commercial potency of crossover fights: strong ticket sales and celebrity attendance demonstrate demand, but the sporting and medical communities will continue to scrutinize matchmaking standards as such events proliferate.