Quick Read
- Anthony Joshua knocked out Jake Paul in the sixth round in Miami.
- This was Jake Paul’s first career KO loss as a professional boxer.
- The fight was streamed live and replayed on Netflix; Joshua is now set to face Tyson Fury in 2026.
When Jake Paul stepped into the ring with Anthony Joshua on December 19, 2025, at Miami’s Kaseya Center, few believed the social media star would survive long against the two-time unified heavyweight champion. The anticipation was electric—streamed live on Netflix, sanctioned professionally, and with betting regulators giving the green light after the controversy surrounding Paul’s previous bout with Mike Tyson. This time, it was a legitimate contest, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Joshua’s Experience Overwhelms Paul: The Sixth-Round Knockout
As the bell rang, it was clear Paul knew he was the underdog. He moved laterally, circling the ring, forcing Joshua to give chase. But Joshua—standing 6-foot-6 and weighing in at 243.4 pounds—was a mountain compared to Paul, who bulked up to 216.6 pounds. The difference in pedigree was stark: Joshua, an Olympic gold medalist with wins over legends like Wladimir Klitschko and Andy Ruiz Jr., versus Paul, whose resume featured aging ex-champions and UFC crossovers.
The fight itself was, in many ways, a battle of survival for Paul. He relied on movement, trying to keep Joshua off balance. Yet, in the sixth round, Joshua’s power broke through. A sharp left buckled Paul’s legs, and Joshua pounced with a right-hand counter, sending Paul to the canvas for the second time. Paul couldn’t beat the referee’s count. At the 1:31 mark of Round 6, it was over: Anthony Joshua by knockout. It was Paul’s first KO loss as a professional boxer, a moment that instantly became headline news (NBC News, CBS Sports).
Aftermath: Mutual Respect and a New Chapter for Both Fighters
In the post-fight interview, Joshua was candid: “It wasn’t the best performance. The end goal was to get Jake Paul, pin him down and hurt him. Jake Paul did really well tonight. I want to give him his props.” Paul, bruised but upbeat, responded: “That was fun. I love this sport. Anthony’s a great fighter. I got my ass beat. I love this shit. I’m going to get a world championship belt at some point.”
The mutual respect was palpable. For Joshua, it was a chance to “shake off the cobwebs,” as he set his sights on a potential blockbuster with Tyson Fury in 2026. For Paul, it was a lesson in the harsh realities of elite boxing—but also a moment to silence critics who doubted his commitment to the sport. The fact that he lasted six rounds with one of the era’s best heavyweights was, in itself, a testament to how far he’s come since his influencer days (Sportico, Yahoo Sports).
Betting, Broadcast & the Unique Spectacle of Paul vs. Joshua
Unlike Paul’s fight with Mike Tyson—which many states refused to sanction for betting due to modified rules—the Joshua bout was a full-fledged professional match. Standard gloves, standard rounds, and official oversight from the Florida State Athletic Commission. Sportsbooks installed Joshua as the heavy favorite, with odds reflecting the gulf in experience and physicality. DraftKings reported massive potential liabilities if Paul managed an upset, but in the end, the result matched expert predictions: Joshua’s technical superiority prevailed.
Netflix, which aired the event live, continued its push into sports broadcasting, making the replay instantly available to millions. The streaming platform reported that Paul’s earlier fight with Tyson had set records as the most-watched sporting event in history, and the Joshua fight drew similar levels of attention. For viewers, access was simple—log in and watch the spectacle unfold at their convenience (Yahoo Sports).
Undercard Results and the Bigger Picture
The fight card featured more than just the main event. Alycia Baumgardner defended her junior lightweight titles against Leila Beaudoin, Anderson Silva stopped Tyron Woodley in the second round, and rising prospects like Jahmal Harvey added to the night’s action. But it was the Paul vs. Joshua clash that captured headlines and sparked debates about the future of crossover boxing, influencer athletes, and the sport’s evolving audience.
- Anthony Joshua def. Jake Paul via sixth-round knockout
- Alycia Baumgardner def. Leila Beaudoin via unanimous decision
- Anderson Silva def. Tyron Woodley via second-round TKO
- Jahmal Harvey def. Kevin Cervantes via unanimous decision
What’s Next: Paul’s Promise and Joshua’s Road Ahead
With the dust settled, the future looks intriguing for both fighters. Joshua, now 29-4 with 26 KOs, is already rumored for a 2026 mega-fight with Tyson Fury. Paul, meanwhile, vows to continue his quest for a world championship belt—a goal that, despite this loss, seems less like a punchline and more like a genuine ambition. As Joshua himself said, “Jake Paul creates a great challenge for me, and he’s got a great mindset for sure.”
In the end, the Paul vs. Joshua bout was more than just a mismatch—it was a spectacle, a test of celebrity versus legacy, and a moment where sport, entertainment, and business collided in a uniquely 2025 way.
When a YouTuber faces a former unified heavyweight champion, the result is rarely in doubt. But the real story is in the resilience: Paul’s willingness to take punches from one of boxing’s giants, and Joshua’s ability to remain relevant in a changing fight landscape. In a sport defined by risk, both men proved that stepping into the ring—regardless of odds or expectations—demands respect.