Anthony Joshua defeated Jake Paul by knockout in the sixth round. The who won the jake paul fight happened on December 19, 2025, at the Kaseya Center in Miami. This was Jake Paul’s second professional loss and his first by KO.

Joshua dropped Paul four times before the stoppage at 1:31 of Round 6. The event streamed live on Netflix. Joshua entered who won the jake paul fight as a heavy favorite with -800 odds, while Paul was +550.

This marks Joshua’s return after a 15-month layoff. His last fight was a KO loss to Daniel Dubois in September 2024. Paul, with a 12-2 record and 8 KOs before the bout, had wins over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., Mike Perry, and Mike Tyson.

Fight Buildup and Background

The matchup drew massive attention. Paul, a former YouTuber, called out Joshua to prove himself against top heavyweights. Joshua, a two-time unified heavyweight champion, aimed to rebuild momentum.

Betting lines reflected Joshua’s edge in size and experience. Joshua stands at 6’6″ with an 82-inch reach. Paul is 6’1″ with a 76-inch reach. Experts predicted an early end, but Paul lasted longer than expected.

The undercard featured Mikaela Mayer beating Jennifer Han by unanimous decision: 99-91, 99-91, 98-92. Alycia Baumgardner also won her fight, though details vary across reports.

Promoters hyped it as a clash of eras. Paul trash-talked Joshua’s recent losses. Joshua stayed focused on his power advantage.

Round-by-Round Breakdown

Round 1 started slow. Paul moved evasively and landed a left hand. Joshua probed with jabs but missed big swings. A clinch saw Paul slip, but no knockdown counted. Joshua edged it 10-9 with pressure.

In Round 2, Joshua ramped up aggression. He threw combinations that backed Paul up. Paul smirked and hit body shots but retreated often. Crowd boos echoed as Paul avoided exchanges. Score: 20-18 Joshua.

Round 3 saw Paul dance and land an uppercut. Joshua struggled for rhythm but connected with body hooks. Clinches dominated the action. Joshua led 30-27.

Round 4 brought warnings. Paul looped hooks and slipped multiple times. The referee cautioned for low blows and stalling. Joshua pushed Paul to the ropes. Adjusted score: 39-37 Joshua, slips not as KDs.

Round 5 turned decisive. Joshua landed a clean left hook and right for two knockdowns. Paul rose each time, clinching to survive. Score widened to 49-44 Joshua.

Round 6 ended it. Joshua’s massive right broke Paul’s jaw. Four knockdowns followed. Paul got up unsteadily after the last. Referee waved it off for the KO.

Key Highlights and Moments

Joshua’s power shone in the later rounds. He exposed Paul’s fading stamina. Paul landed counters early but couldn’t handle the pressure.

Paul’s antics drew flak. He smirked and stuck out his tongue amid boos. The fight felt ugly with slips and grappling.

Post-fight scans confirmed Paul’s double broken jaw. who won the jake paul fightRecovery expected in 4-6 weeks, no surgery needed. Stats show Joshua landed 45% of power punches. Paul connected on 28% but tired quickly.

Netflix reported massive views, topping previous boxing streams. Over 60 million households tuned in globally. This beat the 50 million for Paul’s Tyson fight in 2024.

The event generated $100 million in revenue. Gate receipts hit $15 million at the Kaseya Center.

Post-Fight Reactions

Joshua spoke humbly. “Not my best performance. Rust played a part. Respect to Paul for getting up each time. He’s tough.” He called out Tyson Fury: “Time to fight in 2026.”

Paul stayed positive despite the loss. “Got my ass beat, but I had fun. Jaw’s broken in two places. Off to the hospital.” He skipped the presser for treatment. Paul hinted at dropping to cruiserweight for a title shot.

Experts weighed in. Promoter Eddie Hearn eyes Joshua-Fury unification. Critics noted Paul’s novice tactics like excessive clinching. David Haye said Paul showed heart but lacked pro skills.

On X, reactions mixed. One user called Paul the “real winner” for lasting six rounds. Another praised Joshua for ending the “circus.” A post highlighted the scripted feel in early rounds.

Analysis: Why Joshua Won and What It Means

Joshua’s size and experience overwhelmed Paul. His reach kept Paul at bay early. Power shots in Rounds 5 and 6 sealed it.

Paul’s strategy relied on movement. It worked initially but failed under sustained attack. His second loss after Tommy Fury in 2023 questions his heavyweight future.

For boxing, this boosts Joshua’s stock. He now holds a 29-4 record with 26 KOs. A Fury fight could draw 2 million pay-per-view buys, per industry estimates.

Paul’s brand grows despite the defeat. His fights average 10 million views. Shifting to cruiserweight avoids size issues. Potential opponents include Gilberto Ramirez, current champ.

Critics call it entertainment over sport. 70% of polled fans on ESPN saw it as a mismatch. Yet, it drew new eyes to boxing. Youth viewership spiked 40% compared to traditional bouts.

See the full event details on Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua – Wikipedia.

What’s Next for the Fighters

Joshua targets Fury in 2026. A rematch with Dubois or Usyk could reclaim belts. He plans more activity to shake off rust.

Paul focuses on recovery. His jaw injury sidelines him 4-6 weeks. Cruiserweight move aims for a world title. Lucrative celebrity fights remain an option.

Fans, catch highlights on Netflix or YouTube. Follow socials for updates. Joshua’s team posts training clips. Paul’s vlogs detail his comeback.

If you’re betting next time, note Joshua’s 90% KO rate in wins. Paul’s underdog plays often exceed expectations.

Fan and Expert Reactions Roundup

Social media buzzed. Props to Paul’s bravery: “Took punches like a champ.” Calls to end YouTuber fights: “No more circus.”

Experts agreed on the skill gap. Rory McIlroy predicted Joshua’s dominance. Laila Ali stressed experience wins. Post-fight, focus on Paul’s growth needs.

One X thread debated the KO’s legitimacy. Another hailed Joshua’s power display. Overall, 55% of fans polled on Reddit saw Paul as morally victorious for endurance.

This fight underscores boxing’s evolution. Crossovers bring hype but highlight pro edges. For in-depth stats, check CompuBox reports: Joshua threw 320 punches, landing 142.

If you’re new to boxing, start with basics. Understand weight classes and scoring. Heavyweights like this pack power—average KO rate 65% in title fights.

Experienced fans know mismatches teach lessons. Paul’s journey from novice to contender inspires. Joshua’s resilience after losses shows grit.

In wrapping up, this bout delivered drama. Joshua’s win resets his path. Paul’s loss fuels his story. Boxing wins with the spotlight.